Whakarewarewa club fire: Investigators reveal possible cause

Fire investigators are looking at an electrical cause behind the blaze that destroyed Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Rugby Community Sports Club.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman has confirmed the fire is not considered suspicious, and an electrical cause is being investigated.

Whakarewarewa Rugby Community Sports Club lost its clubrooms in the fire that destroyed photos, trophies and precious club memorabilia early Tuesday.

The first 111 call was at 2.35am.

The building is still standing, but its roof and the inside were destroyed. It will need a complete rebuild.

Hundreds gather at Whakarewarewa Rugby Community Sports Club for karakia following the fire. Photo / Supplied

Club president Marty Hatu said he had been told investigators were looking at an electrical cause.

“We’ve had no work done on the club recently, so it’s quite possible it’s an age thing [with the electrical system].”

Hatu said the club had full insurance, but it had responded to an outpouring of support from locals and others affiliated with the club.

In a post on its Facebook page, the club’s committee said many people had asked how they could donate.

They had not yet set up a crowdfunding page, but in the meantime had a bank account to help the club through the initial process, replicating taonga and paying for essential costs.

Fire destroyed the Whakarewarewa Rugby Community Sports club. Photo / Kelly Makiha

“Let’s work together and help carry us through and bring our club back stronger than ever. The Red Kingdom will be back,” the Facebook post said.

The bank account is Whaka JAB Rugby, 03-0415-0057690-001.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.