News Story
Members were called to assist, mid-afternoon, at a fierce fire in Strawberry Gardens and Ice Cream Parlour on State Highway 16, Kumeu. Fire Service attendance equalled a third alarm. The blaze was in a range of out-buildings and spread to hay. Auckland Fire Police, assisted by counterparts from Silverdale, maintained traffic management while a squad of road tankers and fire engines was involved in a shuttle service along the State Highway, fetching fire-fighting water supplies from Whenuapai. Traffic control was also required at the scene of the fire, allowing the tankers and fire engines immediate access in and out of the premises. Traffic management continued throughout the busy evening peak: a new roundabout at the Taupaki Road/Old North Road intersection with SH16 was used to restrict traffic passing the fire scene and to allow tankers an easier run to the blaze. Fire-fighters had to be decontaminated after hazardous materials were discovered on the site.
