Firefighters fly to Kapiti blaze

KAY BLUNDELL
Last updated 05:00 19/02/2011

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Firefighters were flown to Kapiti Island by helicopter yesterday to put out a scrub fire that started soon after visitors left the sanctuary.

The Kapiti Island ranger spotted the fire near Rangatira Pt's landing site as he left the island by boat about 4pm yesterday.

An emergency response base was set up on Paraparaumu Beach with four fire engines, eight firefighters who travelled by boat and helicopter to the island, as well as Kapiti Coast District Council and Conservation Department staff.

The fire started in driftwood on the beach and spread into the bushline. Firefighters with portable pumps doused it with seawater and had it under control within three-quarters of an hour.

DOC area manager Rob Stone said two DOC houses and several sheds – about half a metre from the fire – were not threatened.

Four years ago, a ranger's cottage went up in flames on the island. It has been rebuilt.

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- © Fairfax NZ News

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