Our 3-Step Escape Plan

  • First Escape Route
  • Second Escape Route
  • Meeting Place
Notes

Use this space to note any additional information about your escape plan, i.e. who will assist

Your checklist

  • Get low

    Smoke is poisonous and more deadly than flames.

    If you breathe smoke for more than a few breaths it can kill you.

  • Be fast

    A house fire can kill you in less than three minutes.

    Don't spend time trying to save possessions.

  • Close doors

    A closed door buys you time.

    It slows down the spread of fire, giving you more time to get to safety.

  • Get out - stay out!

    People have died by going back into a fire.

    Don't leave the meeting place to go back inside for any reason.

Call emergency services as soon as you are out and safe. Ask for FIRE.

Clearly state your address and let the operator know it anyone is still inside or has not made it to the safe meeting place.

Emergency call 111 Emergency text 111
Fire & Emergency New Zealand

Large response to structure fire in Te Anau overnight

Large response to structure fire in Te Anau overnight

1 February 2026

A large number of firefighters have worked through the night to contain a fire which broke out late last night at a lodge on the outskirts of Te Anau.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand dispatched crews from as far away as Invercargill and Balfour to join local brigades after the fire was reported around 11.15pm.

Assistant Commander Nic McQuillan says that they have contained the fire to one wing of Fiordland Lodge, but work is continuing to suppress a flare-up and monitor hotspots. He described the fire as complicated to tackle, due to the design of the building and the roof construction.

At the peak of the fire there were eight fire trucks, an aerial appliance, five tankers and two support vehicles tackling the blaze. Firefighters responded from Te Anau, Manapouri, Mossburn, Blackmount, Lumsden and Invercargill.

Operations began scaling back about 8am but Nic McQuillan says the aerial appliance, two pumps and two tankers will still be on site for several hours.

Relief crews are en route from Winton, Otautau and Invercargill to replace the personnel who have been working on the fire overnight.

Drivers in the area are asked to be mindful of Fire and Emergency vehicles in the area this morning, including water tankers.

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