Same cause identified in 'preventable' house fires in Bay of Plenty

A pot of oil left cooking on a stove has been identified as the cause of the fire that gutted this Pongakawa house. Photo / John Borren

Fire authorities investigating two devastating house fires in the Bay of Plenty this week have expressed frustration that both could have been prevented.

Fire safety investigator Jon Rewi confirmed a fire that gutted a house in Pongakawa on Wednesday was caused by a pot of oil left on the stove.

On Monday, in Edgecumbe, another case of unattended cooking sparked a house fire which seriously burned a person and destroyed the property.

"That's the second cooking fire in as many days, pretty much. People aren't getting the message. We've been harping on about unattended cooking for years but still people think 'It will never happen to me'."

Rewi said there was an element of ignorance in a lot of cases and "it's frustrating to see these types of fires".

"People don't think horrible things like that are going to happen to them. But it could happen to any of us. People need to use common sense - turn a pot on and watch it to make sure it doesn't burn."

Rewi said he had concerns coming into summer there could be more people making dinner but getting distracted by outdoor chores or activities now the days were getting longer.

"People need to be mindful."