Rest home fire caused by faulty electricals

The cause of a blaze that sparked the evacuation of a Horowhenua rest home has been determined as an electrical fault.

Emergency services were called to Millvale House on Mako Mako Rd in Levin around 3am on Sunday.

A fire had broken out in the roof forcing occupants to leave the building.

Two were treated for minor smoke inhalation, while some had to be rescued and others evacuated.

Fire and Emergency NZ assistant commander Craig Gold said the cause of the blaze was an electrical fault in the ceiling.

“Both the active and passive fire alarm systems performed very well enabling fire crews to rescue 11 occupants and assist in the evacuation of 13 more.

“The rear wing of the facility was damaged by the fire and will take some time to reinstate, however, the front wing was reinstated and able to be re-occupied by the day’s end.”

Several fire trucks attended the incident, including crews from Kāpiti, and St John sent six ambulances to the scene.

Millvale House director Andrew Sheard said the rest home cared for people with dementia.

Fortunately all of them got out OK, but the sprinklers that suppressed the blaze caused significant water damage.

“We were fortunate to able to move back into the undamaged parts of the home on Sunday afternoon.

“The support we have received from the Levin community and further afield has been incredible.”

Sheard said the fire crews went above and beyond, not only putting out the fire and evacuating residents, but hosting them while the unaffected area of the rest home was made safe to return to.

The same attitude and goodwill extended to families, tradespeople and council staff who came to their aid.