Latest news with #ChrisDalton
RNZ News
17-07-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Firefighters investigating cause of 'pretty bad' blaze on Mansfield St, Newtown
Smoke from the blaze drifts across the suburb. Photo: Supplied / Shay Vaseneva Firefighters are investigating the cause of a massive house fire in the Wellington suburb of Newtown overnight. The fire on Mansfield Street broke at about 11.40pm on Thursday and wasn't contained until about 2.30am on Friday. It was initially unclear whether anyone was inside the two-storied property. Once firefighters were able to enter the building, Fire and Emergency (FENZ) assistant commander Steve Hudson said a primary search did not reveal anyone inside. Three neighbouring properties were evacuated and Mansfield Street remained closed. Six fire trucks, an aerial appliance, a command unit and a breathing apparatus tender for decontamination attended the blaze. Some crews were being released at about 3am, as operations began to scale back. Hudson said an investigation would be carried out to establish the origin and cause of the fire. On social media, some users reported smelling smoke inside Wellington Hospital and as far away as Te Aro. FENZ advised anyone affected by the smoke to keep their doors and windows closed, and stay inside. Firefighters are battling a massive blaze at a Newtown house. Photo: Supplied / Shay Vaseneva Earlier, at 1am, shift manager Chris Dalton said the fire was "pretty bad" and still had not been contained. Firefighters were working to stop the flames from spreading when RNZ spoke to him. "That's what we're working on now," he said, noting many of the houses in the area were older structures. "It's an area where lots of houses are all built next to each other." It was not immediately clear at that time whether anyone was inside the building, Dalton said. Newtown resident Shay Vaseneva said she could see firefighters putting up caution tape around Mansfield Street at about 12.30am. "The house is in flames, there's no doubt, with quite a few fire trucks and police cars. It looked like they were making sure the fire doesn't spread to the neighbours, obviously it must be unsafe inside," they said. The smoke and smell were "pretty bad down the street from the house". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
17-07-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Newtown fire: Unclear whether anyone hurt or trapped in 'pretty bad' Mansfield St blaze
Smoke from the blaze drifts across the suburb. Photo: Supplied / Shay Vaseneva Firefighters battling a massive blaze in the Wellington suburb of Newtown are unsure if anyone is inside the building. Fire and Emergency (FENZ) shift manager Chris Dalton said emergency services received multiple calls about a house fire on Mansfield Street at 11.40pm on Thursday. The "pretty bad" fire had still not been contained at 1am, and was at "third alarm" level. Dalton said firefighters were currently working to stop the flames from spreading. "That's what we're working on now," he said, noting many of the houses in the area were older structures. "It's an area where lots of houses are all built next to each other." It was not immediately clear whether anyone was inside the building, Dalton said. Firefighters are battling a massive blaze at a Newtown house. Photo: Supplied / Shay Vaseneva Six fire appliances, a BA (breathing apparatus) tender and a ladder truck were at the scene. The house in question is a "few doors down" from the Newtown fire station. Newtown resident Shay Vaseneva said firefighters were putting up caution tape around the area on Mansfield Street at about 12.30am. "The house is in flames, there's no doubt, with quite a few fire trucks and police cars. It looked like they were making sure the fire doesn't spread to the neighbours, obviously it must be unsafe inside," they said. The smoke and smell were "pretty bad down the street from the house", they said. FENZ said Mansfield Street was closed and asked people to stay away from the area. "If you are affected by the smoke, keep your doors and windows closed and stay inside" Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
19-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Plane lands safely as fire crews on standby
An Air New Zealand plane landed safely despite Fire and Emergency being on standby at Hawke's Bay Airport this morning. Fire and Emergency (FENZ) was on standby at Hawke's Bay Airport this morning at the request of an inbound flight. However, around 8am the flight landed safely, an Air New Zealand spokesperson said. "The crew operating NZ5025 from Auckland to Napier this morning received a maintenance alert during the service," they said. "As a precaution and in line with standard operating procedures, emergency services were on standby at Napier Airport. The aircraft landed safely and our maintenance team will now inspect the aircraft before it can return to service." Shift manager Chris Dalton earlier said three crews were at the airport as a precaution after an aircraft indicated a possible "situation on board". He said larger airports had their own fire brigades, but in regional areas FENZ was called in to help. Dalton said there had been no suggestion of an emergency.
RNZ News
19-06-2025
- RNZ News
Fire and Emergency on standby for flight into Hawke's Bay Airport
Hawke's Bay Airport (File pic) Photo: Google Maps Fire and Emergency (FENZ) is on standby at Hawke's Bay Airport at the request of an inbound flight. Shift manager Chris Dalton said three crews were at the airport as a precaution after an aircraft indicated a possible "situation on board". He said larger airports had their own fire brigades, but in regional areas FENZ was called in to help. Dalton said there had been no suggestion of an emergency, and the plan was to attempt a landing before 8am. RNZ has contacted the airline. More to come. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
18-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Firefighters called to blaze at commercial building in Wellington
Seven fire crews were called to the premises on Glover Street. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Fire investigators are expected at a commercial building in Wellington that went up in flames overnight. Seven fire crews were called to the premises on Glover Street in Ngauranga shortly before 1am on Monday. Fire and Emergency shift manager Chris Dalton said it doesn't appear anyone was in the building at the time and there were no reports of injuries. He said the call-out included a big-ladder truck and a specialist breathing apparatus (BA) team. Dalton said the building wasn't a write-off, with the blaze contained to one of three units. He said one crew remained on site damping down hot spots, with fire investigators arriving on site later on Monday. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
