A multimillion-dollar Waiheke Island mansion, formerly linked to Mark Hotchin, has gone up in flames.
The 1990 mansion, which was once owned by a trust, KA No3, linked to Mr Hotchin, was set ablaze on Saturday as part of a firefighting drill on the Hauraki Gulf island.
A multimillion-dollar Waiheke Island mansion, formerly linked to Mark Hotchin, has gone up in flames.
The 1990 mansion, which was once owned by a trust, KA No3, linked to Mr Hotchin, was set ablaze on Saturday as part of a firefighting drill on the Hauraki Gulf island.
Up to 45volunteer firefighters took part in the exercise.
The house was situated on a 4.5ha beachfront property.
Mark Hotchin's old home the mansion at Boatshed Bay Waiheke is torched for a fire fighting exercise today. Photo / Doug Sherring
The mansion has been torched to make way for a sprawling new home.
Firefighters spent the past month planning for today's controlled burn-off, which will include several 'live' scenarios firefighters face during their everyday duties.
Fire crews arrived on the island shortly before 8am to prepare for the burn-off.
Fire Service Counties-Manukau area manager Larry Cocker said on the eve of the controlled fire: "We have had a five-page checklist of things we had to do before we even approached the council for permits.
"The quid pro quo is we get a structure to practise with and realistic training for our volunteers and the owners get the house burnt to the ground."
