A chopper with a bucket tries to fight a fire at Akitio. Photo / Horizons Regional Council
Uncertainty remains about the cause of a blaze completely gutted a house in the remote settlement of Akitio in the Tararua District.
Fire and Emergency NZ Hawke's Bay area commander Ken Cooper said three fire engines and a helicopter with monsoon bucket took three hours to put out the fire which started about noon on Tuesday.
The home owner was away when the fire ignited.
Cooper said the fire was at risk of spreading into a heavily grassed area behind the property in the coastal settlement.
"The volunteer brigade from Akitio, Pongaroa and Dannevirke responded and the fire was well involved, so the main risk was really to contain the fire from spreading into vegetation so we had a helicopter attend as well.
"The fire danger levels in Tararua in Central Hawke's Bay are still very high, but with the use of the helicopter, we were able to extinguish the fire very quickly."
The fire is one of three in Hawke's Bay within the past few weeks with a large house fire that gutted a house on Georges Dr in Napier on Sunday, March 3.
It took four appliances, from both Napier and Hastings, to put out the fire, which broke out just before midday.
Police were also investigating a fire which broke out in a two-storey house on Cumberland Rise in Taradale.
Two teenagers were home when the blaze broke out, but were not injured.
Cooper reminded Hawke's Bay residents to make sure they had working smoke alarms in their homes and to head to the 'check it's alright' website for more information on fire safety in their area.
Audrey Wilson had repeated falls, a fractured arm and sepsis. She died in hospital.