12.00pm
A fire ripped through at least six shops in Papamoa's Palm Beach Plaza this morning, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage, and leaving several retailers facing a grim future.
Although firefighters wouldn't speculate on the cause of the blaze, they confirmed the part of the mall damaged did not
have a sprinkler system.
Firefighters were still dampening down hotspots late this morning and the plaza was due to be opened later today. Builders and electricians had been called in to ensure the wiring and structures were safe.
The fire -- believed to have started at 4.30am -- gutted three shops and caused extensive damage to at least three others, deputy chief fire officer Graeme Easton said.
Although he would not say whether the fire was deliberately lit, Mr Easton said the complex was well alight by the time dozens of firefighters and at least six appliances arrived .
Mr Easton said early indications suggested the fire had started in one of the smaller shops, and spread horizontally through the roof to affect 1000 sq m of roof and floor space.
Chief fire officer Ron Devlin said the fire could have been averted had an automatic fire detection system been installed in the peripheral shops.
Mr Devlin said the complex's building code may have been deficient in terms of an automatic sprinkler system, and he would be investigating that aspect.
Mount Maunganui CIB Detective Mel Ridley said he did not believe the blaze was suspicious.
The Palm Beach Plaza, which is home to 30 shops, opened in late 1997 and is worth about $18m.
- - BAY OF PLENTY TIMES and HERALD STAFF
