COMMENT:
Whatever the cause of the SkyCity Convention Centre fire, in my experience it is likely to be something as simple as a worker's carelessness with a blowtorch or as predictable as corporate cost-cutting.
Unlike those of our cousins across the Tasman, our big fires are seldom caused by high-spirited adolescents larking about with matches. However, if the reported allegations are correct that some staff were told that if they wanted to evac- sorry, walk off the job, they would have to take annual leave, this suggests safety may not come first with some managers.
What's more remarkable is not that such a thing happened, but that it doesn't happen more often. Given the number of big projects going on, there is ample opportunity for stuff-ups at every level. As we have seen this week, things can go from day-at-the-office to CBD-threatening in a moment.
It's a reminder that, no matter what we do, or how rigorous our safety procedures, there comes a point where life is out of our control. It's the "but-then-you-get-run-over-by-a-bus" philosophy writ large.