Already stretched firefighters have been battling a second blaze in Marlborough today - but the smaller forest fire has been brought under control.

Firefighters are continuing to fight a major blaze in Marlborough as hot weather and strong winds add to their concerns.

Firefighters remain at the scene of several blazes in the South Island this morning.

Noel Hendry, 79, of Ruakaka, died in the blaze which engulfed his home on Bream Bay Dr, Ruakaka, near Whangarei, early this morning.

Firefighters battling a large blaze in Marlborough are trying to make the most of a calm period before high winds whip through the area.

An investigation will begin shortly, after firefighters were called to a suburban building fire at 4am today.

Five of the 24 houses in the Waikakaho Valley have been evacuated by Police.

Initially it was thought a child was unaccounted for, but it was later confirmed all the kids from the house were safe.

Firefighters were called out to a rubbish fire in Papakura this afternoon at a site used by the Presbyterian Church.

A teenage girl suffered burns in a fire in Taihape this evening.

No one was injured in the fire.

Four suspicious hedge fires overnight are being investigated by Timaru police.

A major fire has damaged a Christchurch home this afternoon.

A suspected firebug built up piles of kindling across an urban park before lighting two blazes this morning, a firefighter says.

Fire crews at a Taupo plastics factory have now left the scene after a major blaze tore through the building.

Twelve months on from her son's horrific death and Sharon Otto still can't bear to go to the Hamilton house where he died.

A major fire burnt down a holiday home and left the house next-door damaged in Hahei early this morning.

Taieri College in Dunedin will open today, and school examinations will not be affected by the fire in the roof of the school hall.

Auckland fire services were called to a fire on a cliff that required an airport crash fire vessel to extinguish.

Nine firefighting crews are attending a fire at Taieri College in Mosgiel.

A helicopter is joining in the efforts to put out a major fire near Sulphur Point in Rotorua.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from office towers after a fire sparked by workmen on a roof sent thick smoke billowing through the capital.

One person was taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation after a house fire in Central Otago last night.

Firefighters were called to a blaze at an unoccupied West Harbour house overnight.

A fire at a marae in Huntly prompted a call-out from fire crews today.

Police said the men were in a Toyota Hilux on Saturday, at Whakamahi Beach when fumes from a leaking gas cylinder exploded.

A fire has badly damaged a restaurant called Masterchef Kitchen in Panmure this morning.

A fire has badly damaged a restaurant called Masterchef Kitchen in Panmure this morning.

Three people were inside the building at the time fire broke out.

A policeman who rescued a woman from a house fire says being honoured with a bravery award is the highlight of his 35-year career.