Fire
Hawke's Bay fires largely under control after watch overnight
The Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule says there is still a risk the Hawkes Bay fires could get into a 200 hectare forest and it would be a disaster if that happened. "It's calmer now and cooler but mother… Audio
Close call for Hawke's Bay home in fire
"The paddocks were on fire below us." Hastings farmer Richard Chambers tells the story of how the fire has devastated his property. "It's not a pretty sight out here." Audio
Hawke's Bay fire continues to burn
The five fires south of Hastings are largely under control after a tense battle overnight. Our reporter Eva Corlett is near the cordon on Tuki Tuki Road. Audio
Faulty light to blame for devastating fire at Rotorua church
A faulty fluorescent light was to blame for the blaze that gutted a Rotorua church last week. St John's Presbyterian Church's Reverend Lance Thomas says it was a relief to know that the fire hadn't… Audio
Home destroyed in fire in Christchurch's Port Hills
Our reporter Maja Burry who says one house has been lost in the Port Hill's blaze and the focus overnight was on property protection. She says it is very likely that livestock have been killed Audio
Fire crews on scene as Hawke's Bay blaze continues to burn
Four fires in Hawke's Bay are under control, but there are still struggling to bring one fire completely under control. The rural fire incident controller, John Sutton, says four helicopters will be… Audio
Two fires burn out of control on Port Hills, one home destroyed
Fire engines and water tankers are at two fires in Christchurch's Port Hills this morning. Our reporter Maja Burry is at the command centre in Early Valley Road and says the ridge is lit up with fire… Audio
Large blaze in Hastings triggers a civil defence emergency
A civil defence emergency in Hastings has been declared because of a large blaze near the Tuki Tuki river which has already destroyed one house. Audio
Congregation devastated after massive fire guts Rotorua church
The city's deputy mayor Dave Donaldson visited and says the intensity of the fire has been quite severe and the fire fighters did well to stop it spreading. Audio
Large fire blazing at church in Rotorua
A large fire has ripped through a church in Rotorua. Eyewitness Ryan joins Checkpoint. Audio
Community rallies for fire victims: 'Good old country spirit'
Offers of help are pouring in for people affected by a fire south of Whitianga which destroyed a commune and several homes.
Man charged over Northland arson
A man has been charged with arson following a fire at Kelly's Bay in the Kaipara Harbour.
Total fire ban along East Coast
A total fire ban has been put in place across the Hawke's Bay and Gisborne regions.
Fire Service still at Signal Hill
A fire service command unit is still at the scene of a scrub fire at Signal Hill in Dunedin this morning. At it's height, up to six helicopters were involved in fighting the blaze. Audio
Fire crews return to Dunedin scrub fire site
Fire crews will this morning bring diggers to the site where a large scrub fire burned yesterday.
Family friend speaks about man critically injured in fire
Deborah Manning is a family friend of a man critically injured in a fire in South Auckland this morning, which killed three people. She joins Checkpoint. Audio
Three die and three escape Auckland house fire
A five-year-old boy was among three people killed in a house fire in South Auckland overnight. Three people escaped, including a 47-year-old man who is in critical condition. Audio
Fire crews return to Matakana fire scene
Auckland's principal rural fire officer Brian Cartelle says there have been no flare ups overnight at Matakana but he will not be able to declare the fire totally out until thermal imaging of the area… Audio
Suspicious fires at scene of fatal stabbing
Police are investigating a suspicious fire at the house where Auckland woman Carly Stewart was killed last month.
Fire at Matakana commercial building
A large blaze broke out at automotive shop in Matakana, north of Auckland, overnight.
