NEWS

Fresh out of firefighter training, Margaret Smith attended the “horrific” callout that would become the worst of her career. She had been a member of Porirua’s Volunteer Fire Brigade for two months when the crew were called to a house fire. … Continue reading →

A homeless man thought to have been sleeping rough near Porirua is in hospital with serious burns after firefighters found him near death. The 41-year-old man – found around 4.30pm on Thursday near the local shopping mall, north of Wellington … Continue reading →

It’s the beginning of a new era for firefighters around the country, with the establishment of Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ). The new organisation will merge the country’s 40 rural, urban, career and volunteer fire services, and bring together … Continue reading →

Vasati Lopati tried desperately to beat out the flames leaping up her living room walls. Her young nieces and nephew, staying for the school holidays, ran for their lives as she fought the fire that was beginning to lick at … Continue reading →

A Porirua house was gutted by fire on Thursday morning. Four fire engines were sent to the property in Champion St, Porirua East, shortly before 9am. Fire Service central communications shift manager Murray Dunbar said no-one was injured, and the blaze was extinguished … Continue reading →

Putting a pack on his back and climbing up and down the stairwells of a Wellington office building is not Paul Setefano’s idea of fun, but it has to be done. The long-time Porirua volunteer firefighter will be taking part … Continue reading →

  Te Kura Maori O Porirua was also damaged by an arsonist in 2006. School trustee Tui looks over the gutted new entrants block.  ROSS GIBLIN/FAIRFAX NZ Te Kura Maori O Porirua saved for eight years to buy its school van, which … Continue reading →

Police and fire investigators are at the scene of a badly damaged Porirua house, where Gazza the police dog was shot and killed last month. The fire was at the house on Kokiri Crescent where gunman Pita Tekira fatally shot … Continue reading →

The street at the centre of last month’s Porirua siege has been hit by drama again.  A house on Kokiri Crescent where gunman Pita Tekira fatally shot police dog Gazza on April 22 was gutted by a house fire began about 10.45pm … Continue reading →