Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to 322 calls in 2024.

Of those, 81 (25%) were to fires, 52 (16%) were medical calls, 40 were vehicle incidents (12%), 55 were special service and other calls which include weather events, animal rescues and rescues other than those that are motor vehicle related (17%) and 85 (26%) were false alarms.

Although false alarms are higher than we would like, they are a just part of the deal.

The risk we have in Te Puke and the surrounding area is significant because of the number of packhouses, other businesses, schools, rest homes and other accommodation. We would much rather attend false alarms than actual fires. Having had several major fires at large businesses over the years, we know they are challenging to extinguish and the impact on the community can be far-reaching as they are key employers.

This year has started as last year ended – very busy. We have attended 18 calls so far – six to the same property on Manoekea Rd. We were first called to the address on January 3 when a fire was reported at a disused house. It was well alight but we were able to extinguish the fire quickly with only moderate damage.

Two days later we were called back at 2.10am to find the house fully involved in fire. We were again able to knock the fire down quite quickly. However, most of the concrete tile roof structure was compromised and we suspected asbestos was present, with these factors making it unsafe for us to enter and ensure a fire was totally out.

We were unable to reach certain areas and there was an inevitability to us being called back again just before 7am the same day as smoke was showing from those areas we had not been able to reach. We were recalled again later that afternoon as when the owners demolished the remains they caught fire again.

We dampened down and left what was by then just a rubbish pile to continue to burn, but were called out again twice overnight by passing motorists who could see the fire from the main road. It seemed to be the gift that kept giving.

The other 12 calls so far have been to two motor vehicle crashes, two vehicle fires, two vegetation fires, one pizza oven fire that spread to a house deck, and five false alarms.

It is timely to remind everyone that the entire Bay of Plenty remains in restricted fire season, which means anyone who wants to light an open-air fire will need to obtain a permit first. Applications can be made at https://www.checkitsalright.nz/.

Check out the brigade’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Te.Puke.Fire.Brigade.