Fire destroys abandoned Dunedin rest home after years of vandalism

Fire and Emergency sent seven fire trucks, a ladder truck, and a command unit

A large fire has decimated what remained of a derelict and unoccupied rest home in Dunedin’s Mornington.

Fire crews are in the final stages of extinguishing the blaze, which began at 1am.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said the three-storey building was engulfed in flames when they arrived.

Seven fire trucks, a ladder truck, and a command unit attended the incident . Four fire trucks and a ladder truck are still on site.

Much of the fire has been extinguished. A spokesperson described it as a “deep-seated fire”.

A fire investigator is expected to attend the scene this morning.

Suspicious fires and vandalism have plagued the site for several years, including two in 2017 and 2018.

Earlier this year, The Otago Daily Times reported that residents were forced to become “temporary firefighters” after the abandoned hospital became a target for vandals.

Furniture was also set alight at the site in November 2023.

The building has been abandoned since 2011.