SkyCity rejects claims Depot fire caused by dirty flue

Chef Al Brown at the scene of the fire in his restaurant Depot. Photo / Jason Oxenham

SkyCity has rejected suggestions that the cleaning schedule of the kitchen flues at Al Brown's popular Depot eatery in Auckland contributed to last month's fire.

The kitchen of Depot, at 86 Federal St, was extensively damaged in a fire on April 9 that saw hundreds evacuated from office buildings in downtown Auckland.

The council told NZME. News Service yesterday that its belief was that the lack of cleaning of the flue probably contributed to the cause of the fire.

It was the restaurant's responsibility to clean the flue regularly and an independent agency was employed by the building owner to inspect it annually, a council representative said.

It said the restaurant had sprinklers installed as well as fire and smoke detectors.

Today, a spokesman said SkyCity "emphatically rejects" speculation that the cleaning schedule of the kitchen flues may have contributed to the fire.

"SkyCity has agreements in place with specialist cleaning contractors that follow industry best-practice cleaning and maintenance schedules."

"The actual cause of the fire is still being investigated by the Fire Service. Until the Fire Service has completed its report, any speculation on the cause of the fire is unwarranted."

He said SkyCity took its responsibilities to its customers and staff extremely seriously and "has excellent fire safety systems in place".