Latest from Fires

Multiple heat alerts in place today across the country, posing an 'extreme' fire risk.

At least 130 homes and 300,000ha have already been destroyed in Victoria.

How an unattended slash burnoff extensively damaged a Te Puna citrus tree nursery.

One Criterion Hotel was destroyed in the earthquake. The next had two big fires.

Hastings is forecast to reach 38C tomorrow, with Napier close behind on 36C.

The MetService-issued heat alerts include several holiday hot spots.

A man, woman and child from Longwood East remain missing in the fire zone.

An explosion has gutted a residential building in Madrid, killing an elderly woman and injuring nine other people, according to authorities. "A lot of smoke, a lot of noise.

Viral footage showed panicked commuters scrambling as the man ran through the station.

It was one of several blazes crews across the Bay of Plenty battled on Thursday.

Fire and Emergency slams the union as volunteers take 30 minutes to arrive.

The fire erupted during a one-hour firefighters' strike, reportedly delaying the response.

Napier and Hastings remain on Level 3 water restrictions as heat and demand intensify.

Residents in more than 30 towns face 'leave now' or 'shelter' orders.

Ahmed Reynolds-Hatem explains the significance of the store to his family, who watched it break out in flames earlier today. Video / Jason Dorday, Supplied

Six days out, 34C was predicted – two days out, the pick is now 38C.

Morning Headlines | Record high temperatures predicted this weekend, Inquiry into Bondi terror attack begins | Friday January 9, 2025

Fire and Emergency are concerned about the risk of vegetation fires across Hawke's Bay.

Neighbours used garden hoses as windows exploded and flames shot metres high.

Police have charged a man after a house fire sent smoking pouring into residential street and shot flames several metres into the air. Video / Brendon Thomas

NZ Herald Morning News Update | US forces capture Venezuela's leader and managers of Swiss Bar placed under criminal investigation. Video / NZ Herald

The blaze at Crans-Montana’s Le Constellation bar killed about 40 people.

A central Auckland home was struck by lightning, causing its roof to burst into flames as thunderstorms hit the region. Video / NZ Herald

A fire ripped through a crowded bar in a luxury ski resort as people rang in the new year.

Some families are still waiting for news of loved ones who remain missing.

Afternoon Headlines | Firefighters urge extra fire caution and investigation under way after Bay of Plenty death | Friday, January 2, 2025

Around 40 people died and more than 100 were hurt in the Crans-Montana blaze.

Morning Headlines | Fire rips through Swiss ski bar and Manage My Health hit by major cyber incident | Friday, January 2, 2025

About 40 people are dead after a fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana.