Fire at Malaysian diplomatic headquarters

Three people needed help escaping a fire at the Malaysian High Commission in Wellington this evening, while a fire at a Whangarei high school this afternoon caused damage to classrooms.

A Fire Communications spokesman said the ground floor of the stand-alone high commission dwelling in the Wellington suburb of Brooklyn was ''well alight'' when fire crews arrived.

Three fire engines were sent to the blaze at 5:15pm, which was extinguished shortly after.

Three people had to be assisted from the building and were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.

Meanwhile a fire at a Whangarei high school this afternoon caused damage to classrooms.

The Fire Service was called to Tikipunga High School at 3.56pm where a classroom wall was ablaze, northern fire communications shift manager Steve Smith said.

The blaze caused smoke damage to classrooms, he said.

Fire safety officers were investigating.

- © Fairfax NZ News