Residents flee as fire threatens homes

Flames seen leaping into the air as firefighter battle the blaze near Whitianga.

Firefighters are still at the scene of a large scale scrub fire which has destroyed four homes and forced residents to evacuate near Whitianga.

Fire crews were called to the blaze, between Whitianga and Coroglen, around 5.18pm.

Firefighters battled the blaze overnight and, as at 3.30am, 20 acres had been burnt and three other homes were in danger.

Just after 3.30am, Northern Fire Communications shift manager Colin Underdown says the blaze had advanced overnight, with three houses now under threat.

Two fire crews were at the scene throughout the night, with a third crew redeployed there about 3.30am.

He says they were focused on trying to defend the threatened homes from the flames, until rural teams and helicopters rejoined the firefighting effort at daylight.

A caller to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hotline last night says conditions are so dry in the Whitianga area.

"Smoke can be see all over the town."

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

SunLive is working on getting an update from the NZ Fire Service and will update this story once further information is available.

At the scene?

Call 0800 SUNLIVE or email photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz

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