Seven people rescued after fire traps them at West Auckland beach

By RNZ

Seven people had to be rescued after a fire broke out at one of Auckland’s West Coast beaches this evening.

Fire and Emergency confirmed they were notified of the blaze on Anawhata Beach just before 5.30pm on Wednesday.

Eight firetrucks, three helicopters, and multiple support vehicles were called out to the blaze. Fire and Emergency said the fire was now controlled, and firefighters will return at 6am tomorrow.

Surf Life Saving NZ (SLSNZ) also confirmed that Piha surf lifeguards successfully rescued seven people after they were trapped by the blaze.

At about 7pm, police and fire staff contacted SLSNZ, requesting support to extract people stranded at Anawhata Beach.

Smoke from a fire at Anawhata Beach could be seen from Piha. Photo / Supplied via RNZ

Surf lifeguards on three inflatable rescue boats and two rescue water crafts picked up the trapped people from the beach and returned them safely to Piha at about 8pm.

Earlier, a Piha resident said she could see smoke from the Anawhata fire from her home.

“I saw a helicopter with a bucket fly over and local [fire] crews are there now.”

A fire also broke out southeast of Bulls in the Rangitikei District on Wednesday afternoon.

Fire and Emergency said a call about the blaze in Parewānui came in at about 4.45pm.

Ground crews and two helicopters were at the scene, and the fire is now 75% contained.

Crews will remain on the site of the fire in Parewānui overnight.

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