Blaze-ravaged Tauranga firm poised to rise from the ashes

Richard Ive in front of the shop which was gutted by fire more than a year ago. Photo / John Borren

A Tauranga business which was gutted by a fire more than a year ago is set to open its doors again next month.

Action Equipment in Glasgow St was ravaged by fire on Waitangi Day 2015.

Smoke was seen billowing from the business across Tauranga while crowds gathered on the street to watch firefighters extinguish the blaze.

Last year firefighters battled to control the fire in the Action Equipment building on Glasgow St. Photo / Ruth Keber

Fire investigators ruled the fire was caused by a faulty battery in a rechargeable mower.

The electric battery ignited and burst into flames, despite not being connected to a charger, he said.

The start of the fire, which took hold in the far left rear section of the 700sq m building, was captured on internal CCTV footage.

Related: Faulty battery caused $2m blaze + CCTV video

Owner Richard Ive said reopening the store would be like "going back home".

It will reopen officially on March 7.

The blaze cost his business upwards of $1.8 million, he said. While he had business insurance, it only covered him for a year.

He would suggest other business owners in Tauranga extend the normal coverage period to 18 months to two years on the off-chance something halted their business operations.

"It's very tough getting things done in Tauranga in a year."