Police forced to evacuate when fire breaks out

ALARM: A fire forced the evacuation of the Whangarei police station during a night shift. PHOTO/JOHN STONE

A burning chair caused by a cigarette is believed to have sparked the evacuation of the Whangarei police station.

All police staff and one prisoner being held in the cells were forced from the central city station at about 9.50pm on Thursday.

Northland police Chief Superintendent Russell Le Prou said a woman, who was not under arrest, was being interviewed in a room at the station when the fire started on the top floor. The chair was damaged beyond repair but the wall it was next to did not ignite.

The station's fire alarm activated as did the sprinkler system in the room.

"The system we run means the only sprinklers that activate are isolated to where the seat of the fire is. It worked well," Mr Le Prou said.

The evacuated prisoner was kept under guard until being placed back in the cells.

The office affected by the fire was used by the workforce management team and district victims manager. Those staff were yesterday working in other areas of the station.

"Most of the inconvenience is from the water damage to a small number of computers and, on each floor, water has soaked through ceilings, the carpet and into the liftwell," said Mr Le Prou, who was at the station until 3.30am yesterday.

No police files were damaged but some paperwork needed to be dried out. Mr Le Prou said all the police files were held electronically.

Electricians checked the cabling and contractors were called in to help with drying out all three floors of the station.

The cost of the damage was still being assessed but did not appear to be significant.

A fire investigator was called to the scene and, while the case was still under investigation, Mr Le Prou said he could not comment further.