Canterbury Uni lab goes up in smoke

Fire views at Canterbury University. Photo: Geoff Sloan
Fire views at Canterbury University. Photo: Geoff Sloan
A fire at a Canterbury University engineering lab on Tuesday morning was likely caused by an electrical fault.

The blaze broke out in the university's High Voltage Laboratory and was "well involved" by the time fire crews arrived.

Up to six units responded, including a hazmat command vehicle.

The fire was likely to have been caused by a malfunctioning electrical appliance.

A Canterbury University spokeswoman said the fire was in an empty lab and was quickly brought under control.

“There was no evacuation necessary as the lab was empty,” she said.

Police were at the scene and traffic on Creyke Rd in Ilam was reduced to one lane.

The High Voltage Laboratory is part of the College of Engineering.

The lab specialises in the measurement and testing of electrical engineering equipment and components.