Photo: Emma Andrews
Fire and Emergency says a blaze that broke out near New Plymouth's Bell Block beach has now been contained.
A vegetation fire was reported around 2.20pm on Wednesday.
An emergency alert has been sent phones in Bell Block, Strandon, and Waitara instructing people to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed.
Smoke from the fire spread across Bell Block and the neighbouring town of Waitara on Wednesday afternoon.
FENZ shift manager Chris Dalton said the fire, which was 200x100m at around 4pm, was still burning on the perimeter of the Taranaki Cycle Park.
He said it was now contained, and there had been no reports of injuries, or threat to property or the public.
Dalton said three trucks from urban crews, two water tankers, and four rural crews responded to the blaze and two helicopters were still flying.
"Vegetation fires are horrible, one of the more nasty bits of work we do," he said, and helicopters were often sent up early to try and gain control.
Dalton said scrub fires "don't tend to just start," and a fire investigator had been requested.
Firefighters earlier told spectators to leave the area, and a crew from Waitara was currently blocking access to the beach.
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