A rapid and coordinated effort by Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) has led to the successful extinguishment of a fire at Oreti Beach, specifically on the beach side of the Oki St village. Teams are now diligently checking for any remaining hotspots to ensure complete safety in the area. This decisive action has effectively reduced the threat to nearby homes and the community at large.
Despite the immediate concern posed by the fire’s proximity to residential zones, the collaborative effort between aerial and ground units resulted in the situation being controlled promptly. This allowed local events, like the Southland Motorcycle Club’s Burt Munro Challenge, to proceed with minimal disruption, exemplifying the community’s resilience.
The incident has drawn attention due to several reports of youths seen fleeing the area as the fire started. A witness told whatsoninvers.nz that one of them had no shirt on, they are also known to Police.