The evening of 8 June saw the Unit responded to a property fire on State Highway 2 in Timberlea, north of Upper Hutt. A second, and then third alarm was transmitted.

The blaze as shown in the ceiling area. Image courtesy Bruce Key.

The house was up a steep driveway, hindering access to the blaze, and lack of decent-pressure reticulation meant that water tankers (arranged by the Upper Hutt Rural Fire Force) were required to set up a decent water supply.

The house was badly damaged. Image courtesy Bruce Key.

Using water drawn directly from the Hutt River, the blaze was brought under control but due to difficulty gaining access to some areas of the building, it was left to burn in a controlled and monitored fashion for several hours.

Another view of the property. Image courtesy Mark Foster.

Crews remained in attendance overnight. HVFP provided lighting, refreshments, support with cordons and hoseramps, and other support tasks during the call; Some equipment remained at the scene overnight for use by the firefighters who remained in attendance.

The HVFP lighting plant was used to light up the scene of the water-draught from the Hutt River. Portable kit was used up the hill at the property, to light up the work area. Image courtesy Mark Foster.

Career crews from Rimutaka, Trentham, Avalon, Hutt and Seaview stations, Plus Wellington City Command Unit Staff, attended. Volunteers in attendance included Upper Hutt, Silverstream, Stokes Valley and the Hutt Valley Fire Police, as well as the Upper Hutt Rural Fire Force.