Latest fromNZ Fire Service
No explosion at geothermal station
The operator of a Northland geothermal plant has denied Fire Service reports 30,000 litres of gas is leaking after an explosion at the site.
Gas leak shuts part of State Highway One
A section of the country's main highway has been shut down due to a gas leak in Hamilton.
Fire crews called in to help Victoria
When Australia burns, Northland firefighters are often called across the ditch to help douse the fires.
Firefighters concerned about extra work
Dwindling volunteer numbers and a rising number of non-emergency medical callouts were some of the key concerns raised at an annual firefighter's conference this weekend.
Girl helps save family from Chch inferno
A "brave'' 12-year-old girl who woke to flames in her Christchurch home this morning managed to wake the rest of her family and escape the inferno.
Suspicious fire in Albany
A fire at a childcare centre on Auckland's North Shore early this morning is being treated as suspicious.
20 die in 'avoidable' fires
Twenty people were killed in avoidable house fires in the past 12 months and in most cases, there was no working smoke alarm, the Fire Service says.
Firefighter bullying claims backed up
A former deputy chief fire officer with 28 years experience has backed up claims of a "culture of bullying'' at Feilding Volunteer Fire Brigade made by a young female volunteer.
Firefighter: Bullying forced me to resign
A young volunteer firefighter and calendar pin-up girl says a "culture of bullying" left her no choice but to resign from the service.
Non-permitted fire threatened properties
A Welcome Bay resident who lit a non-permitted fire on his property which quickly got out of control at the weekend could be prosecuted or have to pay the bill for putting the fire out.
Arson and accidents stretch fire services
Fires raged up and down the country yesterday stretching emergency services to "maximum capacity".
Heart victims call fire service
People suffering from heart attacks are ringing 111 to ask for help from firefighters instead of an ambulance because the response is quicker in some rural parts of New Zealand.
More harrowing testimony
More harrowing testimony is expected as a coroner's inquest into the deaths of eight CTV building victims continues today.
Officer 'frustrated' by thwarted rescue attempts
The police officer left in charge of the Christchurch earthquake's biggest disaster zone said he became "frustrated" at being ordered off the site as he tried to rescue survivors.
Quake 'overwhelmed' police system
Police today admitted the February 22 earthquake disaster in Christchurch "overwhelmed" their communication system.
Chch quake report slams fire chiefs
Fire chiefs failed to cope with the February 22 earthquake response, according to a scathing report out today which criticised them for being disorganised.