'Nothing suspicious' about fire that gutted emergency housing hotel

Tuesday, 11 January 2022

There was “nothing suspicious” about a fire that gutted a Rotorua motel housing 11 Ministry of Social Development clients on December 30, according to a Fire & Emergency spokesperson.

The motel, on Rotorua’s Fenton St, went up in flames causing police to block large parts of the road while Fire & Emergency staff battled the blaze.

In a statement to Stuff, a Fire & Emergency spokesperson said “the Golden Glow Motel fire has been classed as accidental”.

“An exact cause was not able to be determined but there was no evidence to suggest the fire was suspicious,” they said.

**READ MORE:

* Golden Glow Motel goes up in flames in Rotorua

* Upper Hutt house where person died in fire, alights again

* Bluff house extensively damaged by fire

**

On the day of the blaze, Fire and emergency shift manager Josh Pennefather​ told Stuff they were contacted at around 11.20am with “reports of a building on fire”.

MSD regional commissioner Mike Bryant also told Stuff they had 11 clients residing at the motel, and that all would be relocated to alternative accommodation.

“Everyone who needs it has somewhere to stay tonight,” he said at the time.

“We will work with those affected to ensure appropriate alternate accommodation is provided. If required we will also connect them to a provider that can provide further wrap-around support.”