Blocked fire exits potential death trap

Up to 800 teenagers were locked inside a death trap full of flammable material during an after-ball party in a Napier nightclub last year, according to fire officers.
The claim was made by a senior officer at Napier District Court yesterday when State of It operators David Hannay and Susan Strong faced a depositions hearing on a charge of causing a criminal nuisance by failing to ensure the safety of the premises.
Fire Service senior fire officer Bryan Dunphy said he found all-but one exit blocked - in one case a fire door was padlocked, a freezer blocked another exit, and another exit was chained, while kegs used for the club's associated Odin's bar blocked access to a fire hose.
A fire alarm had also been ripped from a wall. No alarm was sounding on the premises, and there appeared to be no evacuation in progress, he said.
There was no sign of fire but he ordered the evacuation of the club in the old Odeon Theatre between Marine Parade and Hastings Street.
He told two Justices of the Peace hearing the case: "If a fire had occurred there, I believe there would have been certain death and injury."
The party was organised by pupils of Havelock North High School, after their school ball, and while most had arrived on buses from Hastings, at least 100 more were thought to have gained entry using forged tickets.
The trust contended that created a gatecrashing problem, and that one door had to be blocked after it had been opened by a partygoer to allow illegal entry to the function where, fire and police witnesses said, many of the teenagers appeared to be intoxicated.
The trust also contended the venue was organised at short notice, after the pupils' original committee structure collapsed. Hannay had discussed possible problems with the new representatives who approached him desperate for a venue after 600 tickets had been sold.
Mr Dunphy told crown prosecutor Russell Collins that as well as the exit problems, there were fire dangers with the amount of black polythene being used to help darken the interior and cabling used for electrical equipment. It was very flammable and could give off toxic fumes, he said. He estimated it had taken 20 to 30 minutes to clear the premises, with partygoers leaving through a single exit onto Marine Parade. Most then left on buses called in to clear the scene.
Napier City Council safety watch officer Ian Brown said most of the partygoers appeared to take alcohol into the party.
Sergeant Nigel Formosa, of Napier Police, confirmed police were aware the party was happening, and had discussed it with Hannay.
When he spoke with Hannay during the day after the party, Hannay said he had "stuffed-up," and conceded there were shortcomings about the night, Mr Formosa said.
The Crown called no further evidence as the hearing resumed today. The JPs dismissed the charge against Ms Strong, but committed Hannay for a District Court trial, remanded on bail to callover on July 4, the anniversary of the events.
Mr Jensen did not concede there was a case to answer.