Township evacuated as fire flares up

File photo / Paul Estcourt

Fire crews battling a large scrub fire on the South Wairarapa coast have evacuated residents in homes at Mangatoetoe which are under threat after strong winds drove the fire out of control.

Fire crews were initially called to the blaze close to Cape Palliser, and near the settlement of Ngawi, about 9am.

Central fire communications shift manager Mike Wanoa said two helicopters were used to drop water on the flames.

Five fire trucks and several rural fire crews also tackled the blaze and brought it under control early in the afternoon, but rising northerly winds caused the fire to freshen. Residents at Mangatoetoe, 3km east of Ngawi, on the Cape Palliser Road were evacuated as a precaution.

"The fire started shortly after 9am and we had it under control by 2.15pm," Mr Wanoa said. "But now it has gone to a fourth alarm and we've recalled the helicopters and brought in seven or eight appliances, as well as rural fire crews from the area."

More than 30 firefighters and fire engines from as far as Wainuiomata and Upper Hutt had been called in.

- NZPA