21 June 2007

Ashes likely cause of Kapiti Island fire

Ashes removed from a wood burner are believed to have caused the fire which destroyed a ranger’s cottage on Kapiti Island last Thursday.

A Department of Conservation and New Zealand Fire Service investigation has revealed that ashes cleaned out of the log burner in the cottage, and awaiting disposal, had ignited and caused the fire, DOC Kapiti area manager Ian Cooksley said.

“The ranger had gone out for just a few minutes and returned to find the building ablaze and unable to be controlled with just a fire extinguisher.

“Kapiti Island staff are trained in fire safety and control, and very conscious of the devastating impact that fire would have on this iconic native bird sanctuary. So the ranger is obviously very upset that she accidentally caused a fire.

“But she did all the right things to prevent the fire spreading into nearby vegetation, turning off the gas and electricity and immediately alerting emergency services.

“DOC’s fire systems worked well. Fire crews from DOC and the Fire Service were immediately despatched to the island and the fire was quickly brought under control,” Mr Cooksley said.

The New Zealand Fire Service's fire investigation officer Russell Postlewaight has re-emphasised the importance of the safe disposal of ashes.

“Ashes from a fireplace or woodburner can take up to five days to cool,” said Mr Postlewaight.

“Each year on average, 82 house fires are caused by the incorrect disposal of hot ashes. It's critical that ashes are placed in a metal container well clear of the home and, for increased safety, water is poured over them.”

In conjunction with other routine maintenance work on the island, debris from the fire was removed this week by helicopter.

Biosecurity contingency plans have been activated to check for any rodents that may have inadvertently been introduced to the island with the fire crews and equipment. Tracking tunnels have been laid around the site of the fire, in addition to permanent bait stations. A dog trained to track rodents was taken to the island and did not find any sign of any rodents. The last remaining mammalian pests, rats, were removed from the island in the mid-1990s and this has allowed the island’s ecosystems to flourish. ENDS

Find out more about Kapiti Island on the DOC website: www.doc.govt.nz/kapiti island nature reserve

Also: Kapiti Island fire investigation underway (Media release on DOC website)

ENDS

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