Upper Hutt Leader - 27th February 2008

A Whiteman's Valley six-year-old was among those who raised the alarm over a fire in scrub beside a power pylon near the entrance to Stokes Valley. The pylon carries major power supplies from Haywayds to Gracefield.

Ingrid McCracken and her son Jesse were eating ice-creams on the Hutt Riverbank (having decided against swiming because of toxic algae) at Silverstream when Jesse spotted smoke behind Silverstream Retreat. They borrowed a phone from contractor Ray Purser who was working by the river and phoned 111. Ingrid says the Fire Service knew of the fire but the call helped pinpoint its exact location.

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TVNZ

Streets in the Upper Hutt city centre remained cordoned off after a major fire in a building in Main Street on Wednesday morning.

Six appliances battled the blaze in what is thought to be a building used for storage next to the Hallensteins store.

The blaze was under control by midday but it was not clear how much damage has been done.

Thick, black smoke was billowing out onto the streets and neighbouring shops were evacuated.

NZPA stuff.co.nz

Fire destroyed a shop on the main street of Upper Hutt this morning.

Wellington fire communications centre shift manager Murray Dunbar said the alarm was raised at about 10am.

More then a dozen units went to the fire, on Main St.

He said the fire appeared to have started at the Hallensteins store and had damaged at least three shops in the vicinity.

Fire crews remained at the scene late this morning to mop up and investigate how it started.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4117411a11.html

Stokes Valley Volunteer Fire Brigade is the proud new owner of a vintage 1939 Ford V8 open cab fire appliance. This fire engine has been fully restored by Maurice Bognuda and his son, Aidan. Maurie had been approached by overseas parties interested in purchasing the appliance. However, after some subtle arm-bending, Maurie agreed to sell the appliance to the Stokes Valley brigade.