Demo starts on Napier's fire-damaged Bay View BP

Demolition work on the damaged Bay View BP forecourt began on Thursday afternoon. Photo / Warren Buckland

Demolition work has started on the fire-damaged Bay View BP forecourt, about 9km north of Napier.

Police said it was "nothing short of a miracle" the fire at the Bay View BP last week did not injure or kill someone.

It took crews from Fire and Emergency New Zealand about half an hour to get the fire under control after receiving the call at 9.23pm on Friday.

The burnt husk of the forecourt shows long, curtain-like panels hanging from the outer edges, which many locals have speculatively attributed to preventing the fire from spreading further.

A spokesman for BP said while they weren't official "fire curtains", the panels which dropped from the side were part of the canopy's design. Photo / Warren Buckland

While they could not be defined as "fire curtains", a spokesman for BP said they were part of the canopy's design.

"Our canopies are designed with a number of safety factors in mind."

He said safety was the company's top priority and they were continuing to assess the site.

"All our team members are being supported and remain BP employees."

The other saving grace for the service station was the petrol pumps locking off.

Another service station owner, who did not wish to be named, said each service station would have their own emergency response measures which would be drilled regularly.

The owner had not heard of a curtain system used in case of a forecourt fire.

A BP spokesperson said a partial reopening was likely before the weekend.

"The initial reopening will include our Wild Bean Cafe, convenience store and Truckstop diesel offer.

"We are working through the detail of when other fuels will be available again."

The spokesperson said the site might need to close again for short periods in the month ahead to allow repair work to continue safely.