Fire reignites as landmark building in Whangārei city centre threatened

Thursday, 10 October 2019

'The clock tower has just re-ignited,' a Stuff reporter at the scene said at 2.10pm. A firefighter on a tall ladder confronted the flames directly.

The mayor of Whangārei says it is a 'tragic' day for the city as a major fire ripped through a landmark building in front of hundreds of onlookers.

And more than an hour after it seemed the blaze was under control, the blaze in the clock tower in the CBD building reignited.

Emergency services responded to a 'well involved' fire at the Municipal Building, also known as the town hall, on Bank St just before 1pm on Thursday.

Flames could be seen coming out of the building's clock tower.

'I'm feeling sick,' Whangārei Mayor Sheryl Mai said shortly after 1pm. 'I'm standing in front of it.'

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'The clock tower has just re-ignited,' a Stuff reporter at the scene said at 2.10pm.

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The Municipal Building on Bank St in Whangārei is well involved in flames, a Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said.

'We're all in a state of shock,' Mai added a few minutes later. 'I'm out and everybody else is OK.

'This is a tragic day for the history of Whangārei,' Mai said as hundreds of people gathered to watch firefighting efforts.

The fire seemed to have started in the upper right hand side of the building and the roof appeared damaged, Mai added.

She said several social service agencies including the Citizens Advice Bureau were based in the building.

Multiple fire engines were sent to the blaze.

Firefighters, including one up a ladder, were hosing the building down shortly before 1.30pm, the mayor said.

The Municipal Building was built more than a century ago.

Smoke could be seen billowing from the building.

Owned by Whangārei District Council, it has had ongoing refurbishments over the years.

Due to its age, the building doesn't require a sprinkler system - however, it had monthly fire checks and there were regular fire drills.

Women's International Newcomers Group Social said it was privileged to have a room in the building.

Its chairwoman Mina Crisp said it was sad to see it burn as it was an iconic building in the city.

Mai said it was too soon to know what caused the fire or how badly damaged the 'beautiful old building' would be.

'We're hopeful at this stage. Decisions about it's future will have to be made,' Mai added.

At 1.40pm, Fire and Emergency NZ shift manager Peter Stevenson said firefighters were still battling the blaze.

Eight appliances were present, attacking the fire externally.

All people inside the building at the time of the fire had been accounted for, Stevenson said.

'The clock tower has just re-ignited,' a Stuff reporter at the scene said at 2.10pm.

A firefighter on a tall ladder was confronting the flames directly.

Two firefighters with breathing apparatus went inside the building soon after.

Northland fire's assistant area manager Graeme Quensell told Stuff there had been concerns for its structural integrity due to its age and were worried about fire getting into the roof cavity.

Earlier, an employee at a hair salon nearby said Bank St was 'just full of smoke' and firefighters were battling the blaze moments before 1pm.

'One of the clients mentioned she saw flames.'

A staff member at the nearby Shosha store said there'd been a lot of smoke but the situation seemed 'all good' by about 1.10pm.

A cafe staff member also said the fire seemed to be under control at that time. He'd seen flames, and firefighters arrive a few minutes earlier.

St John spokeswoman Beverley Tse said one crew was sent at 1.30pm to support the fire service.

Nobody needed treatment at that stage, Tse said.

The Whangārei District Council said it was a sad day for the city on its Facebook page.

'Whangārei's Municipal Building was built in 1912 and we all celebrated its 100th birthday in 2012,' it said.