Two firefighters injured battling suspicious blaze at unoccupied home in Levin

Flames shoot out of a second-storey window at the home in Liverpool St. Photo / Supplied

Two firefighters were injured battling a suspicious blaze at an empty home in Levin on Saturday afternoon.

Fire and Emergency communications shift manager Belinda Beets said two firefighters suffered minor injuries and one was taken to hospital for assessment.

A blaze at the soon-to-be demolished home was likely the work of an arsonist who broke in, or a squatter, firefighters believe.

The Liverpool St house was being readied for demolition and power was not connected, Fire and Emergency Horowhenua assistant commander Craig Gold said.

”It’s likely someone’s either been squatting in there or broken into it and set fire to it.”

The fact power was disconnected meant an accidental fault causing the blaze was unlikely, he said.

Police are making inquiries as well as a fire investigator.

Gold said one of the two injured firefighters had fallen and hurt a shoulder.

The other suffered a heat-related issue arising from the intense force of the blaze combined with the rigours of working hard while wearing a breathing apparatus and protective gear.

Gold said the firefighter was taken to hospital for observation and it was hoped they would be able to head home tonight.