Rotorua emergency services called to 'huge' house fire in Glenholme

Author: Rotorua Daily Post,
Publish Date: Fri, 31 Dec 2021, 1:35pm

Emergency services have been called to a large house fire in the Rotorua suburb of Glenholme.

A Fire and Emergency spokesman said multiple calls have been received for a "well-involved" house fire on Seddon St.

The house next door was also exposed and firefighters were working to dampen the blaze, the spokesman said.

Five fire trucks from Rotorua and Ngongotahā have been called to the scene.

Rotorua Fire Brigade senior station officer Tony Kelly said it took about 20 minutes to bring the fire under control and they were now dampening the hotspots.

He said it was a high-intensity fire but all persons had been accounted for.

The main concern was making sure neighbouring properties didn't also catch on fire, he said.

"Exposure to neighbouring properties is just as important."

Rotorua Lakes councillor Raj Kumar was in town when he saw smoke "billowing" from the Seddon St area.

"It's a huge fire. It's just engulfed. Smoke's filling up the skyline."

He said when he was at the scene there were many people gathered but he could see police helping to clear them, as well as closing both ends of Seddon St.

Kumar said Ranolf St and other nearby side streets were "in a jam".

A woman at the scene, who wished to remain anonymous, said she had been there for about 10 minutes and saw some smoke and flames.

However, she said it appeared the fire brigade had it under control when they arrived.

She said she was worried about her tenants living in the house next door and there may be more damage to the side of the property than she first thought.