Firefighters at the scene of a fire in a Housing New Zealand house in Cannons Creek
A state house in Cannons Creek was badly damaged by fire this afternoon.
Three fire engines were called to the block of Housing NZ flats in Cornwall Crescent around 4pm.
The top floor suffered fire damage, with windows smashed out and burnt piping near the roof.
Firefighters were seen dragging fire damaged household items from the property after containing the blaze, which appeared to be located on the top floor.
Porirua senior station officer Boyd Atkinson said there were people at home when the fire began in an upstairs bedroom, but they were able to escape unhurt after a fire alarm went off.
“Working fire alarms going off and the family’s quick reaction stopped things from getting any worse than it was.
“No-one was hurt and that’s the important thing.”
It appeared the fire begun in a bedroom before spreading out into the hallway and bathroom, with foam mattresses in the bedroom adding to the severity of the fire, Mr Atkinson said.
There was significant fire damage to the bedroom and furniture, but it was contained from spreading into the rest of the house or adjoining flats.
Fire crews would continue to assess the cause of the fire next week.
Dominion Post – KERRY MCBRIDE
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