Three flee New Plymouth blaze

Three people, including a four-year-old boy, were described as "extremely lucky" to escape a fire in New Plymouth early yesterday.

Firefighters were called to the Bulteel St, New Plymouth, flats just before 7am and found the upstairs of the building well ablaze.

The second floor, where the trio slept, was a charred mess, with windows blown out and only blackened timber framing left. The downstairs area suffered smoke and water damage in the blaze.

Fire safety officer Matt Crabtree told the Daily News the three people were fortunate to have got out alive.

"I would say that they are extremely lucky," he said.

He said the fire started on the floor in one of the bedrooms, from a candle igniting combustible material.

Assistant area commander Dave Utumapu said flames were leaping out of the windows as firefighters pulled up.

"The property was well-involved on the second floor," he said.

The three people, who had evacuated the burning building, were taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation and one received minor burns.

- NZPA