Waihau Bay house fire: Police confirm everyone safe after blaze

Police say all people have now been accounted for following a house fire in Waihau Bay this morning.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand was alerted to the blaze just before 3.30am, with crews from Waihau Bay, Hicks Bay, Ōpōtiki and Te Araroa responding.

Northern fire communications shift manager Josh Pennefather said the first crews to arrive found the house well alight.

Firefighters have since worked to fully extinguish the fire, including pulling apart sections of the building to access hotspots.

Earlier, authorities said a number of people were unaccounted for, prompting a co-ordinated effort between fire crews and police to locate them.

Police were notified of the incident at about 4am and initially said it was unclear whether the property was occupied at the time.

Police have since confirmed that everyone is accounted for.

A local resident, who asked not to be named, said the occupant of the house was found safe after the fire.

She said emergency services were alerted to the fire at about 3.20am, and they were still at the scene this morning, extinguishing hotspots.

“We’re very sad about the loss of the home, but very grateful that the person was found alive and well.”

Members of the public are still being advised to avoid the area while emergency services continue their work.

A fire investigator is also at the scene.