Blaze attributed to electrical switchboard fault

An electrical switchboard fault is believed to be the cause of a shed and office blaze in Waimate yesterday morning.

Chief Fire Officer Duncan Lyall said the Waimate Volunteer Fire Brigade had the Michael St fire under control quickly after being called to the scene at 10.58am yesterday.

Initial reports pointed towards an electrical switchboard as the main fault for the fire, which started in a shed and spread to an office, he said.

Three fire engines were parked nearby as four volunteer officers battled the blaze using one high pressure and two low pressure hoses.

They spent just over an hour extinguishing the fire.

There was extensive damage to the roof and front of the shed.

''Probably about 30% [of the shed] was damaged,'' Mr Lyall said.

A car parked in the building was also fire-damaged.

The shed and office were empty at the time. Emergency services were called after a neighbour noticed the fire.

rebecca.ryan@odt.co.nz

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