Ashes cause of fire at cottage

Cromwell firefighters deal with the aftermath of a short-lived blaze that extensively damaged a...
Cromwell firefighters deal with the aftermath of a short-lived blaze that extensively damaged a cottage between Cromwell and Bannockburn yesterday. Photo: Jared Morgan
A fire that caused extensive damage to a cottage near Cromwell yesterday is a cautionary tale in the disposal of ashes, a fire investigator says.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) spokeswoman said two trucks from Cromwell and a rural water tanker responded to the blaze in Bannockburn Rd after a neighbour called 111 at 9.12am.

The firefighters remained at the address for about two hours, dampening down hot spots.

Speaking at the scene, Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade deputy chief fire officer Neil Gillespie said the blaze was brought under control within 15 minutes.

He said damage to the compact and largely open-plan home was extensive.

The owner was not home when the blaze started but she had returned while firefighters were still dealing it and was "very distressed".

Fenz fire risk management officer John Smalls said the fire was "an accident" and the cause was traced to ashes left in a plastic container on a wooden deck.

"I wouldn’t describe it as an intensive investigation."

Ashes could be deceptive, he said.

"It is quite a good insulator and while ashes can be cool on top, underneath they can retain a fair bit of heat."

Fenz advice was to dispose of ashes in a metal container with a lid, or to dampen them with water if no lid was available and let them stand for at least five days before disposing of them, he said.

jared.morgan@odt.co.nz

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