A house fire in Bracken Street, Whakatane, yesterday was quickly under control.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said crews were alerted to the structure fire at 9.32am and four fire trucks from Whakatāne and Kawerau were sent to the scene.

“The fire was well involved by the time Fire and Emergency arrived and was extinguished at 10.01am.”

Whakatāne fire chief Chris Hands said crews arrived to find the exterior of the carport and the kitchen area of the house well ablaze.

Two crews wearing breathing apparatus carried out exterior and interior attacks on the fire, bringing it under control within five to 10 minutes. Crews then spent about another hour damping down hot spots.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.