17-07-2025
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"
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