Bar blaze to be investigated

Firefighters battle in vain to save the Celtic.

Investigations are continuing into how and where a fire started that destroyed a popular Wanganui bar early on Thursday morning.

The fire tore through Caroline's Celtic bar and restaurant at the top end of Victoria Ave, with the alarm raised just before 4am.

By the time Wanganui Fire Service crews arrived the fire was well advanced and firefighters were forced to attack the fire defensively, meaning they could only battle the blaze from outside the building.

Late yesterday John Hotter, Wanganui Fire Service fire safety officer, told the Chronicle they had been at the scene throughout yesterday and would be there again today, sifting through the debris trying to establish how and where the fire started.

Senior Sergeant Lance Kennedy confirmed Whanganui Police were working alongside fire investigators. "If arson is identified, we will lead the investigation. If not, it is a matter for the insurance company and owners."

He said although they had appealed for anyone with any images taken of the scene before the fire service arrived, no one had come forward yet.

And unfortunately there was no useful security camera footage from the area that could be obtained either, he said.

The fire means 28 full-time and part-time staff have lost their jobs until the business either sets up in temporary premises or rebuilds on the same site.

Patrick Norton, brother of the bar's owner Caroline Norton, said that a rebuild on the same site was likely although a final decision would not be made for a few days.