‘Couple of years of hard work’ goes up in smoke
Blaze rips through Paeroa op-shop
Fire has destroyed Paeroa second-hand shop Forget Me Not Opportunity Shop on Belmont St around 12.30pm last Tuesday. “I just watched a couple of years of hard work go up in smoke. But I won’t be deterred — we’ll come back again,” says owner Sue Turner.
Fire and Emergency Waikato District manager Daryl Trim said the fire was contained quickly and no one was injured.
Turner and her husband were on the footpath when they saw smoke billowing from the back. No one else was in the shop.
“My husband ran through with a fire extinguisher, and the neighbour, by the time they got out the back all they saw was flames. It had already taken a hold.”
Hauraki mayor Toby Adams said the fire was devastating for the businesses affected.
He said at least two shops were gutted.
“It’s pretty damaging, but nobody is hurt and that’s the main thing,” said Adams. “It’s not the first fire we’ve had in the main street and it may not be the last, but we are a pretty strong and resilient community and I’m sure we will all chip in and make sure the other businesses aren’t affected.”
The fire is under investigation, but Turner assumed it was caused by electrical issues.
Hauraki Bike Hire owner Michael Tansey said the fire had damaged at least four shops, including the post office and Midway Takeaways Burger Bar.
“It is pumping. It took off within a couple of minutes,” said a witness on social media.
An ATM was also destroyed. The owner of The Bakehouse Cafe & Roasts, a couple of doors down from the second-hand shop, said they were shaken after the blaze and have had to close the bakery.