![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTD97M_Bell_Block_01_jfif.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n
Photo: Emma Andrews\n<\/p>\n
Fire and Emergency says a blaze that broke out near New Plymouth’s Bell Block beach has now been contained.<\/p>\n
A vegetation fire was reported around 2.20pm on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
An emergency alert has been sent phones in Bell Block, Strandon, and Waitara instructing people to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed.<\/p>\n
Smoke from the fire spread across Bell Block and the neighbouring town of Waitara on Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He said it was now contained, and there had been no reports of injuries, or threat to property or the public.<\/p>\n
Dalton said three trucks from urban crews, two water tankers, and four rural crews responded to the blaze and two helicopters were still flying.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
Dalton said scrub fires “don’t tend to just start,” and a fire investigator had been requested.<\/p>\n
Firefighters earlier told spectators to leave the area, and a crew from Waitara was currently blocking access to the beach.<\/p>\n