'There's nothing left basically': Six homes, farm destroyed, residents evacuated as fire spreads in Coromandel Peninsula
WHAT WE KNOW:
- Six homes have been destroyed
- The blaze started at 5.20pm on Tuesday on Comers Road, south of Whitianga
- The blaze now covers an estimated 15 hectares and has been fuelled by strong south-westerly winds
- Wilderland farm has been destroyed. "There's nothing left basically."
UPDATE 9.45AM: Six homes and a community farm have been burnt down in the Coromandel Peninsula as a scrub fire continues to threaten properties.
Another two homes are threatened while The Wilderland Sustainable Community has been evacuated overnight.
"The fire has still gone on through the night, it had a front of 500 metres at one stage," the Fire Service's Colin Underdown said on Wednesday morning.
Fire teams have set up a command unit to co-ordinate the fight against the blaze, which started in Comers Road, south of Whitianga, around 5.20pm on Tuesday.
The blaze, which covers about 20 acres, has raged on since 7.20pm on Tuesday. Photo: Supplied
The blaze now covers an estimated hectares and has been fuelled by strong south-westerly winds.
Three helicopters and around six trucks are also battling the blaze.
Stethan Bossman from the Mercury Bay Informer has just flown over the blaze, and says the fire is huge.
"Three helicopters are on the scene with monsoon buckets. I would estimate about 15 hectares has been burned out."
The fire has reached the water's edge and is now burning back on itself.
Fire crews have battled the fire overnight and into Wednesday.
Residents in enarby coastal townships could see smoke billowing across the coast. Photo: Thomas Everth
Mr Underdown said the fire had burnt through the Wilderland organic farm, which grows organic fruit and vegetables and promotes collaborative farming.
The fire was headed up a valley, fanned by strong winds. It was burning across a 500m front, Underdown explained.
The Thames-Coromandel District Council spokeswoman Rebekah Duffin said people living on Comers Rd, including Wilderland, had been evacuated and everyone accounted for.
She said the destruction of the Wilderland farm would be a huge blow to the area.
"Wilderland has been destroyed. There's nothing left basically."
The fire has destroyed four homes and is threatening at least three more. Photo: Thomas Everth.
Residents from nearby coastal townships reported smoke clouds billowing across the district.
Photo: Google Maps
Local Thomas Everth described the fire to NZME as "explosive".
"It's explosive. There's flames which stretch 1km. It doesn't look like choppers are making much of difference," he said.
"It's hot and dry, and windy. It's such a shame.
"It's a wonderful area with big trees. There's a few lifestyle properties that are pretty close to the fire."
- With NZN
