Balcony fire started from hot ashes

Queenstown firefighters attend the blaze. Photo by David Williams.
Queenstown firefighters attend the blaze. Photo by David Williams.

Queenstown firefighters dealt with the aftermath of a balcony fire in Hallenstein St yesterday.

The resort's fire volunteers were called to a fire about 11am.

The residents of the two-storeyed property had the fire under control when the two fire appliances arrived and no-one was hurt.

Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade Chief Fire Officer Terry O'Connell said it appeared hot ashes from a bucket on the wooden veranda sparked the fire.

It showed how dangerous hot ashes can be "in the wrong circumstances'', he said.

Mr O'Connell said the tenants were "a bit shaken''.

Fire volunteers used thermal imaging equipment to ensure the fire was out. They also cut a hole between the two storeys to check the internal beams were not smouldering.

The fire was one of several in Otago associated with the disposal of hot ashes since July 1 last year, Fairfax media reports.

Fire risk management officer for Central and North Otago Stu Ide said before yesterday's Hallenstein St blaze there had been 10 ash-related fires in the Central and North Otago area that the fire brigade was aware of.

"I suspect there has probably been many more that have been extinguished by the occupants and we haven't been notified."

 

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