Fire crews are at a house fire in Bay of Plenty.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said the fire in Paengaroa had also ignited a 200m shelterbelt.
鈥淔ive fire crews are working to ensure it does not spread further.鈥
Two water tanks and an additional crew had been dispatched, the spokesperson said.
A Paengaroa School Facebook post said the fire was opposite the school and students were safe. School would finish at the regular time.
Paengaroa School principal Bruce Lendrem said a neighbour noticed smoke coming out of the roof and called the brigade.
He said pupils were evacuated to the hall and a classroom at the back of the school as a precaution.
鈥淚t was just in case the wind changed and the smoke affected the school but it didn鈥檛.鈥
Lendrem said part of the shelter belt [next to the burning house] caught fire but was extinguished quickly.
鈥淭he fire crews did a fabulous job to stop any more damage. They moved quickly.
鈥淭he sad part is the house is gone.
鈥淭he owners have lived there for 35 years. Lots of memories gone but thankfully no loss of life.鈥
More to come.
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you
Get the iHeart App
Get more of the radio, music and podcasts you love with the FREE iHeartRadio app. Scan the QR code to download now.
Download from the app stores
Stream unlimited music, thousands of radio stations and podcasts all in one app. iHeartRadio is easy to use and all FREE
