A shed has been gutted by a blaze following an out of control rubbish fire, prompting a warning from emergency staff, as high winds and dry conditions persist on Rarotonga.

Three crews in three trucks, and one water tanker, were called to a blaze near the Tupapa water intake about 2.45pm yesterday.  

Puaikura Fire Brigade chief officer Jason Moorfield said a small shed had caught fire on a private property, where the residents had been burning rubbish nearby.

The blaze “jumped” into the shed, he said.

The structure, about 5 metres by 3 metres in size, was destroyed, along with personal belongings inside it, Moorfield said.  

The blaze was fully involved when crews arrived, and residents were on site.

“It’s another warning about lighting fires during high winds, there was a shack beside it, only three metres away, lucky the wind was going in the right direction.

“The grass is very dry and it is very windy at the moment,” Moorfield said.

It took crews 20 minutes to get the situation under control.