Man has lucky escape from fire
A man woken by the ‘‘popping’’ sound of a fire was lucky to escape with his life after a blaze at a Ma¯ rahau holiday park.
Thirteen volunteer fire crews attended the early-morning fire at Old Macdonald’s Farm Holiday Park on Saturday, Motueka volunteer chief fire officer Mike Riddell said.
The fire was called in about 1.25am, and when crews arrived they found several buildings on fire.
With about 700 square metres of sheds and workshops at the property, crews spent several hours trying to prevent the blaze spreading, Riddell said.
While no-one was injured, a man living above one of the sheds made a lucky escape, he said.
‘‘He had smoke alarms, but no batteries in them. It was only the sound of popping from the fire that woke him up.’’
With the fire blocking his escape route, the man was forced to take an ‘‘alternative route’’ out of the building. ‘‘He was very lucky to get out with his life.’’
Volunteer firefighters from throughout the region fought the fire, and crews used six pumping appliances and five tankers.
The fire did not reach the campsite, although it did come close to some of the units, Riddell said.
However, the damage was significant, and a ‘‘huge loss’’ to the popular holiday park, he said.
Riddell emphasised the need for people to check that their smoke alarms were in working order, and to have an escape plan.
He said there was no indication that the fire was suspicious. However, a specialist investigator will examine the scene.