Quick work by locals saves Waihirere marae wharenui

Police are treating a fire at Parihimanihi Marae at Waihirere on Thursday evening as a probable arson. Picture supplied

Swift work by local residents stopped a potentially devastating fire in its tracks at Parihimanihi Marae at Waihirere on Thursday night. Firefighters said there was only a minute in it.

The fire is being treated as a probable arson.

Fire and Emergency NZ received 111 calls about the incident just after 6pm that evening.

“A fire had been set alongside an exterior wall at the rear of the wharenui (meeting house),” a senior firefighter said.

“Local residents heard fire alarms going off at the marae and reacted immediately.

“They grabbed a hose reel at the marae and tackled the fire,” he said.

“It was out by the time we got there.”

The senior firefighter said it was very fortunate that the residents acted so quickly.

“Another minute and it would have been a different story.”

The fire was started directly underneath one of the marae’s fire detection devices, he said.

“So the alarm was raised almost straight away, which also helped.

“There was fire damage to about five square metres of the exterior wall of the wharenui, and a couple of windows were broken, but the quick action of the residents definitely saved the day, and the meeting house.”

The senior firefighter said the cause was definitely suspicious.

Police were called and they have an inquiry under way.

“We have completed a scene examination, spoken to the good people who put it out, and to other neighbours,” said Detective Sergeant Steve Smith.

“We started area inquiries that night and those inquiries continued yesterday.

“The fire cause is being treated as probable arson.”