A man will appear in court this week on assault charges after allegedly obstructing firefighters at a blaze in Lower Hutt, from which a family escaped in their pyjamas.
Emergency services were called to a block of flats in the suburb of Moera, about 9pm on Sunday.
Fire and Emergency NZ Wellington assistant district commander Brett Lockyer said fire crews were confronted by a man who became aggressive and tried to stop them doing their job.
"Thankfully none of the crews were injured at all."
It was "disappointing" to see behaviour like this from members of the public, he said.
Police were called and a 55-year-old man was arrested, Lockyer said.
A resident from the three storey block of flats on Croft Grove told RNZ the fire broke out on their floor, which was shared with another apartment.
They said their family was able to escape in their pyjamas, but a young father was burned trying to put the fire out, and was taken to Hutt Hospital.
Two fire trucks and several police crews were sent to the fire.
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