Classic racing yacht goes up in flames

An Auckland classic racing yacht, the Tamatea, was severely damaged in a fire at a Glen Eden storage facility early today.

Firefighters were called to the blaze about 5am but the fire was already well under way by the time they reached the scene in Bancroft Crescent.

Yacht owner, Canadian cabinetmaker Andy Robinson was said to be mortified at the news of the fire.

Classic Yacht Association steering committee member Chad Thompson said Mr Robinson had been planning to return to this country in October to prepare the 15-metre Tamatea for an international classic yacht regatta in Auckland in February.

Tamatea was built for the Newcomb printing family in the mid to late-1930s, he said.

- NZPA