'Lucky save' after arson attack on Art Deco centre

Rural Art Deco Maniototo Inc chairwoman Diane Paterson (left) and vice-chairwoman Amie Pont were...
Rural Art Deco Maniototo Inc chairwoman Diane Paterson (left) and vice-chairwoman Amie Pont were relieved to find the Art Deco costume hire wardrobe free from smoke or fire damage.
Fire investigator Mike Cahill, of Invercargill, checks the alcove where a  fire  started at...
Fire investigator Mike Cahill, of Invercargill, checks the alcove where a fire started at Ranfurly's Centennial Milk Bar. Photos by Sarah Marquet.

There has been an outpouring of frustration in Ranfurly over an arson attack on the Centennial Milk Bar but people are relieved the fire was spotted and extinguished in time to save the building.

The fire, which started about 7.15pm on Wednesday, was yesterday called a ''definite arson'' and a ''lucky save'' by Invercargill fire investigator Mike Cahill.

He said the fire was just minutes away from breaking into the main part of the building.

''If it wasn't for some tourists in town who saw it at the right time, we probably would have had a historic building well involved [in fire].''

The Central Otago District Council-owned building houses an op-shop, run by the Catholic Women's League, two beauty businesses and Rural Art Deco Maniototo Inc's gallery.

Art Deco group chairwoman Diane Paterson and vice-chairwoman Amie Pont said yesterday they were ''gutted''.

''Fires just seem to haunt us,'' Ms Paterson said.

A serial arsonist in the 1930s caused the loss of many town buildings, which were then rebuilt in Art Deco style.

The second most significant Art Deco building, Ranfurly Auto, was extensively damaged by fire three years ago and attempts to save it failed.

The Milk Bar was the town's most significant Art Deco building and if it, too, was lost, Ranfurly would have lost its point of difference, she said.

Mrs Pont said there was a lot of disappointment but also support coming from the community.

''There's been an overwhelming amount of comments and support and an outpouring of frustration and disappointment on Facebook.

''It's really disappointing that whoever [it was that lit the fire] has no appreciation of the community they live in.''

Among the many messages on the social media site were: ''That is awful news, hopefully the truth will come out and the guilty parties will get a suitable punishment, none of which makes up for the damage they have caused though, very sad, so many memories in that place, I almost had a wee tear when I heard it was on fire.

''It is disappointing to hear that someone has such a lack of respect!!! I really feel for the volunteers who have put their heart and soul into that building/businesses. Kia kaha Ranfurly.''

Mrs Pont said firefighters saving the building for the community was a bit ironic as the community once saved the building from firefighters.

Ms Paterson said the building had become derelict in the 1990s and by 1999, it was to be set on fire and used as a training exercise for the brigade.

''That's when the community got into gear and said `no, we want to save this building'. The CODC bought it and then the community refurbished it.''

The Art Deco gallery was unaffected by the fire, although the costume-hire section may have to be moved.

The op shop and businesses were affected and will be closed for some time. Owners and operators could not be contacted yesterday.

Council property and facilities manager Mike Kerr said the council would be talking to its insurer about the damage.

Sergeant Derek Ealson said police who assisted the fire investigators yesterday morning had ''seized a number of items'' and were ''following up a number of witness accounts''.

There have been three other arsons in Central Otago lately - a hay barn in Roxburgh caught fire after a suspected arson attack in late December; an Alexandra bar was set alight on January 2 and another fire was deliberately lit in the recently renovated public toilets next to Central Stories Museum a few days later.

-sarah.marquet@odt.co.nz

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