Energy-saver bulb likely fire cause

A fire which severely damaged one of Dunedin's historic buildings last year most likely started in a light fixture fitted with an energy-saver bulb, a fire service investigation has found.

The Stavely Building in Jetty St, built in 1897, was left uninhabitable after the March 30 fire.

In addition to the damage to the building, several businesses, including the Dunedin Ballet School, a storage firm and a curtain maker, lost all or most of their equipment and stored goods.

A joint police and fire investigation took place as there were reports of the premises being insecure when the fire was discovered.

Fire Safety Officer Barry Gibson, of Dunedin, said a clear fire path was traced to a bulkhead light mounted on a beam inside one of several basement storage areas in the building.

It was clear the fire had originated from that point.

Three scenarios were considered: a fault in the light or the power supply to it; an accidental fire caused by a person who had been in the building just before the fire; or someone had placed an ignition source through a gap or hole in the floorboards above the light.

There was no evidence that anyone had been in the room, which was still locked when the fire brigade arrived, and while the ground floor (above the basement) had been insecure, there was no evidence there were any openings in the flooring above the light, so the third scenario was not supported.

"From the burn patterns, the most likely of these scenarios would have to be fire originating from the light," Mr Gibson said in his report.

He noted the fixture had been fitted with an energy-saver bulb, which was concerning because of reports that such lamps should not be fitted in any area that was not ventilated.

In this case, the lamp had been covered and the cover sealed, cutting air circulation around the bulb.

In that scenario the sealed bulb could heat up its fitting.

While conclusive research had not been conducted in New Zealand, international articles had concluded fire was a plausible consequence of using unventilated energy-saver bulbs, he said.

The police officer in charge of the police investigation into the fire was not available for comment yesterday.

debbie.porteous@odt.co.nz

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