Crews from across Southland and Otago fight fiordland fire

Firefighters from across Southland and Otago Battle Fiordland Blaze

Crews responded to a significant building fire in Fiordland, New Zealand, late Saturday night. The incident occurred on the Te Anau Milford Highway, where a roof was alight.

Fire and Emergency NZ initially feared people might still be inside the Fiordland Lodge but later confirmed everyone had been accounted for. Assistant Commander Nic McQuillan described the fire as 'complex' due to the building's design and roof construction. Eight trucks, five tankers, four vehicles, and an aerial appliance were involved in the operation.

Volunteer firefighters from various locations, including Te Anau, Manapouri, Mossburn, Blackmount, Lumsden, and Invercargill, were called in to assist. Additional crew members were brought in to relieve exhausted volunteers.

The fire is expected to take some time to extinguish completely, with significant damage reported but much of the building saved. Firefighters worked tirelessly through the night to contain the blaze and monitor hotspots.