Multiple fire crews battling blaze near Ōtaki Beach

Multiple fire crews have been battling a vegetation fire inland from Ōtaki Beach, on the Kāpiti Coast, on Saturday evening.

The smoke could be seen from several kilometres away.

Some people were able to see it from as far away as Paraparaumu – a distance of 14km.

Fire and Emergency said in a statement it was alerted to the fire, behind the former Ōtaki Health Camp, just after 5pm.

“The fire is burning slowly through very thick bracken and gorse and has burnt through approximately five hectares.”

Six rural crews were working to contain the fire and keep it away from homes, the statement said.

“At this point, smoke is blowing out to sea and at this stage Fire and Emergency has not evacuated anyone.”

Fire and Emergency asked people to stay away from the fire ground.

On Friday a large workshop was destroyed in a fire in Swamp Road, on the other side of the Ōtaki River to this fire.