Speight’s beer averts disaster by quenching minor fire at Lone Star in Christchurch

Lone Star says that the fire was caused by a malfunctioning fan. Photo / @LoneStarManchesterSt

A Christchurch restaurant has avoided potential disaster after the outbreak of a small fire was doused by beer.

Lone Star Manchester St branch co-owner Trevor Casey says that “Speight’s beer saved the day”.

Speaking to the Herald, Casey explained that the small fire started from a “malfunction in the fan” in the women’s toilet early Friday morning.

There was one person inside the building at the time.

“The fire started, and the cleaner got out of the building and called the fire brigade, and then it burned through the beer lines,” says Casey.

Within a short time, the fire was put out with no harm to the employee.

A 20L keg of Speight’s beer was sitting right above where the fan was, Casey says, adding that it “just emptied itself on the fire and put the fire out”.

Seeing some humour in the situation, the company’s Facebook page posted yesterday that “the fire [was] doused entirely in a full malt flavour, balanced with a hint of grassy bitterness and a pleasant, non-harsh finish”.

According to Casey, there was a massive cleanup following the incident. The trade professionals were called in to get the electricity running, check gas levels and ensure the building was safe.

“It was a massive effort to get everything done and open for trade at 5 o’clock,” he says.

“We’re very thankful that the keg was there and that it saved the day.”

Local Lion team member Charlie O’Connell said: “We’ve checked in on Lone Star and are grateful to hear that everyone is OK. While beer is not the conventional nor recommended way to put out a fire, it’s very fortuitous that Speight’s saved the day.”

Beer has helped save the day and extinguish fires in New Zealand before.

Last July, RNZ reported locals using beer to put out a fire at the Seddonville Hotel in Westport.

“Our industrious locals actually got bottles of beer... actually opening bottles of beer, shaking them, and putting the fire out,” said volunteer firefighter Ian Mulholland at the time.