Properties destroyed as Coromandel fire rages on

The blaze has been fuelled by strong south-westerly winds. Photo: NZ Herald
The blaze has been fuelled by strong south-westerly winds. Photo: NZ Herald
A fierce fire on the Coromandel Peninsula is continuing to burn out of control, claiming properties in a sustainable farming community.

The explosive bush fire south of Whitianga has burned six homes to the ground and come close to destroying others.

The blaze, which now covers 8ha, has been fuelled by strong south-westerly winds.

The Wilderland Sustainable Community on the Whitanga Estuary was the latest casualty. Houses, buildings and orchards were destroyed by fire overnight.

The fire has reached the water's edge and is now burning back on itself on Wednesday.

Ash has been raining down on residents as far away as Cooks Beach.

Fire Service northern shift manager Colin Underdown said ground crews monitored the fire overnight as homes on Comers Rd came perilously close to burning.

Yesterday six Fire Service crews, several rural brigades and three helicopters battled the blaze until nightfall. More fire crews were expected and helicopters would take to the air again on Wednesday.

Mr Underdown said the fire was headed up a valley, fanned by strong winds. It was burning across a 500m front.

The Thames-Coromandel District Council said people living on Comers Rd, including Wilderland, had been evacuated and everyone accounted for.

Council spokeswoman Rebekah Duffin said those forced out of their homes were staying with friends and relatives. 

She said the destruction of the Wilderland farm would be a huge blow to the area. "Wilderland has been destroyed. There's nothing left basically."

Every available fire crew throughout the region was responding to the blaze, including Department of Conservation firefighters.

Roads remained opened throughout the district except for Comers Rd, which was restricted to emergency service vehicles fighting the fire.

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