Massive fire at Rotorua mall

Staff at Rotorua's Warehouse Stationery have been "fairly traumatised" by today's blaze at the Central Mall which has gutted their workplace.

The Warehouse Group's Des Flynn was reported as saying it was a big shock for workers, and the company had people on site to make sure they were looked after.

Staff were "fairly traumatised" he told Radio Live.

He said it was hoped the 15 workers would be able to be employed at other sites.

Meanwhile, an electrical fault may have started today's blaze, it was reported.

3 News reported on its website an electrical fault is believed to have caused the fire.

11:50am UPDATE: Most business at Rotorua's Central Mall is expected to continue as normal later today, the Fire Service says.

Fire Service area commander Graham Fuller says this morning's massive Central Mall blaze had been contained to the Warehouse Stationery but adjacent stores would still need to be checked for smoke damage.

"We prevented the fire from spreading into the mall."

He said initially the options were to fight the fire externally or defensively as it was too dangerous to enter the store.

While The Daily Post was at the scene firefighters were suiting up with oxygen tanks and masks.

Mr Fuller said they had contained the outside fire and were sending people in to fight the internal flames.

"It's still burning inside."

He said it would be some time before they could determine the cause of the fire but business would continue as usual for most of the mall later today.

"Because we've contained the fire to one shop it will allow everyone to get back to business. About 80 per cent of the mall should be back up and running today."

However, he said there may be some smoke damage.

Firefighters were going through the mall with key holders checking for damage when The Daily Post left the scene.

 

Daily Post reader Jo Liddell posted a comment saying she could smell burning plastic when she woke this morning.

"I cant believe it is the Warehouse Stationery in town so far away.

"It must be extremely toxic. I hope the firefighters are well protected from the smoke."

Adrian Hodge tweeted "Was wondering what that smell was in Glenholme".

Did you see the fire? Send us your pictures (at right) or email video to news@dailypost.co.nz.

8.50am UPDATE: Grace Westmacott isn't sure when she will be back at work after fire in the Warehouse Stationary at Rotorua's Central Mall threatened to spread to her work place.

The Countdown worker who lives on Elizabeth St about 500m from the Central Mall noticed black smoke billowing from near her place of work and rushed to the scene.

"I saw some fire fighter trucks coming and going. It was 6-6.30am and I was worried. I work there [Countdown] and start later. I don't think I'll be working today now."

Warehouse Stationery worker Nita Farmer has been a worker there for more than eight years. She told The Daily Post she was devastated by the fire.

"It's a shock and I'm devastated to see that. I was on my way to work and my mum text me to say there was a fire my way. I didn't think it would be our store."

Mrs Farmer said police told her the fire started about 6am but were unsure how it started or if it was suspicious.

She believes no one was in the building at the time.

Visibly upset Mrs Farmer said she was unsure what the future held for her.

"It's pretty much my life in there. Yeah I'm just devastated by whats happen."

As rain and morning mist mixed with black smoke and flames Ms Westmacott watched with about 20 onlookers and more than 12 fire trucks battled to control the blaze.

Appliances from Hamilton are understood to have been required.

Earlier flames could be seen coming from the roof of the Warehouse Stationary store as fire fighters battling to keep it from spreading to nearby buildings..

One eye-witness said there was glass exploding and flames well above the roof. Another passerby said windows blew out in front of him.

A Fire Service spokesman told The Daily Post the blaze had now been contained to the Warehouse Stationery building.

The fire was spotted by a police patrol about 6am this morning.

Thick black smoke blanketed the mall and debris was scattered across the carpark.

Police and have cordoned off the area.

People in the area have been evacuated from the area and police are requesting that vehicle and pedestrian traffic avoid the area bounded by Amohau Street, fenton Street, Victoria Street and Ranolf Street.

8.40am UPDATE: A major fire at Warehouse Stationery at Rotorua's Central Mall had firefighters battling to stop it spreading to neighbouring buildings, and firefighters say it is expected to rage all day.

The Fire Service was called to the stationery store at 6:08am, and 12 fire trucks are now at the scene, said northern fire communications shift manager Scott Osmond.

"The building is well involved in the fire. The building sounds like it's pretty much totally involved."

The warehouse, stocking various forms of books, stationery and office furniture, is surrounded by similar "big box" stores, said Mr Osmond.

He said firefighters were trying to stop the flames setting alight the neighbouring buildings, and were based on the Amohau St side of the industrial area.

"We're in what's called defensive mode at the moment, we're not actually attacking the fire, we're just protecting the surrounding buildings and making sure it doesn't spread."

Mr Osmond said the fire was fourth alarm, which was a high ranking but not the worst.

He said there had been no reports of injuries that he was aware of, and there had been no one inside the building.

The fire was expected to continue to rage throughout today, he said: "We'll be there certainly all day at the very least."

He said he had no idea at this stage how the fire started.

Police are at the scene, and are asking all pedestrians and traffic to keep well clear of the blaze.

The police have asked people to avoid the area bounded by Amohau St, Fenton St, Victoria St, and Ranolf St.

8.20am UPDATE: Fire crews are still battling a fire at the Warehouse Stationery in the Central Mall which is threatening to spread to near by buildings.

The Daily Post reporter Greg Taipari  was at the scene this morning and said flames could be seen coming from the roof of the building with fire crews desperate to stop the flames from spreading to the Countdown store.

The fire was spotted by a police patrol about 6am this morning.

Thick black smoke blanketed the mall and debris was scattered across the carpark.

Emergency services are at the scene and police have cordoned off the area.

People in the area have been evacuated from the area and police are requesting that vehicle and pedestrian traffic avoid the area bounded by Amohau Street, fenton Street, Victoria Street and Ranolf Street.

Warehouse Stationery worker Nita Farmer has been a worker there for more than eight years. She told The Daily Post she was devastated by the fire.

"It's a shock and I'm devastated to see that. I was on my way to work and my mum text me to say there was a fire my way. I didn't think it would be our store."

Mrs Farmer said police told her the fire started about 6pm but were unsure how it started or if it was suspicious.

She believes no-one was in the building at the time.

Visibly upset Mrs Farmer said she was unsure what the future held for her.

"It's pretty much my life in there. Yeah I'm just devastated by whats happen."

Warehouse Stationery is adjacent to Countdown on one side and the newly upgraded undercover area of Central Mall on the other.

The $2.5 million upgrade includes a new roof and spacious food court.

More details to come.

8am UPDATE: A large fire at Warehouse Stationery at Rotorua's Central Mall is reported to be under control, and there are no reports of any injuries.

The fire was reported to have been spotted by a passing police patrol about 6am.

7.40am UPDATE: A large fire at Warehouse Stationery at Rotorua's Central Mall is reported to be spreading to neighbouring buildings.

The Daily Post reporter Greg Taipari is at the scene and says it's a huge blaze.

The blaze started just after 6am.

Bruce Beesley from the Union Motel told TVNZ's Breakfast a blanket of smoke covered the mall, then he heard a big explosion and the whole front of the building blew out.

Emergency services are at the scene and police have cordoned off the area.

People in the area are reported to have been evacuated.

Police are requesting that vehicle and pedestrian traffic avoid the area bounded by Amohau Street, Fenton Street, Victoria Street and Ranolf Street.

Twelve fire trucks are at the scene, and are trying to stop the blaze from spreading to neighbouring buildings.

Mr Beesley said there had been ambulances there and was still one on the scene.

Warehouse Stationery is adjacent to Countdown on one side and the newly upgraded undercover area of Central Mall on the other and to the rear.

The $2.5 million upgrade includes a new roof and spacious food court.