A fire has ripped through two houses in Runanga, north of Greymouth, overnight. Fire and Emergency said it received a call for help at about 3.45am, and the blaze had spread to a second house within half an hour. A spokesperson said it took a "major response" with five fire engines from around the region, and one command unit, to contain the fire. All the occupants of the houses have been accounted for.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 20, 2021 18:00 UTC