A bouncy castle at an indoor sports centre in Richmond near Nelson started the fire this afternoon, Fire and Emergency says.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Fire and Emergency senior station officer Craig Clayworth said the fire in one castle spread to other bouncy castles, capet and netting and filling the Action Indoor Sports Centre with smoke.
Fire and Emergency has praised the way staff at the centre safely evacuated a dozen or so people by the time firefighters arrived.
"They had all the people in one area when we arrived so we could quickly ascertain that they were all out... it was all very smooth," Mr Clayworth said.
Seven fire engines and a command unit were used to bring the fire under control. Five five engines stayed at the scene to dampen down hot spots.