Three hospitalised in three fires

Three people have been hospitalised in three separate fires in Auckland and Northland overnight.

The first fire happened in the North Shore suburb of Birkenhead about 10pm yesterday in what was initially a medical call, but when ambulance staff arrived they noticed a pot boiling on the stove, said Fire Service northern communications manager Megan Ruru.

The victim, who was "very lucky", suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital, she said.

At 1am firefighters were called to a house fire at Horeke, 33km northwest of Kaikohe, in the Far North. The fire was fully ablaze when they arrived. All people in the house were accounted for but two had suffered partial burns and one was taken to hospital.

Firefighters were called to the third house fire about 3.45am in the Auckland suburb of New Lynn. One person suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital, Miss Ruru said.

Fire safety investigators are still at the scene.

- NZPA