MEDIA RELEASE

Fire brought quickly under control
For immediate release: Monday 5 March 2007

A fire at Environment Bay of Plenty’s headquarters in Whakatane was quickly brought under control by the Whakatane Fire Brigade on Sunday 4 March.

The fire, which sparked a call-out at 11.30am, devastated a small top-floor office and damaged a neighbouring shared workroom. Several other offices suffered from smoke and water damage, resulting in thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Environment Bay of Plenty’s Group Manager HR and Corporate Services Miles McConway says the fire may have been started by an electrical fault. It was mostly contained to one cluster of offices in the Regional Council’s data services section. “Fortunately, the door to the corridor was shut, so the fire did not spread as much as it could have. However, it was very intense – one office is totally demolished.” Mr McConway says the fireproof doors and walls did the job they were designed to do. “The building held up very well.” However, water used to put out the fire has soaked some of the offices on floors below the fire’s location.

Some staff will not be able to work from their offices because of the damage. “However, we have other areas available where we can house staff temporarily. So it’s pretty much business as usual.”

Mr McConway wants to thank all those who helped on Sunday. “The emergency services and local contractors did a fantastic job and Environment Bay of Plenty staff were on hand to help with the immediate cleanup.”

Environment Bay of Plenty’s insurance assessors are on site and will be investigating the cause of the fire.

ENDS

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