Massive blaze destroys big car-yard

A spectacular fire which destroyed hundreds of cars at a Rotorua wreckers’ yard is believed to have started when vehicles were being shifted around the property.

The fire started about 7.10pm on Tuesday when the manager at Direct Auto Dismantlers in Ngongotaha¯ saw smoke coming from the car yard. At the time, he was on the phone to owner Nixon Noori.

“I think you need to go down there and see what’s going on,” Noori remembered saying to him.

The manager kept Noori on the line as he went down, but once he got there he instantly hung up.

Within an hour much of the yard was in flames and 22 fire crews were fighting the blaze.

The burning cars, with their combustible linings, seats, tyres and even oil, continued to light up at pace and the scene was “unpredictable” and hazardous, said the Fire and Emergency incident controller.

Hamish Smith said that about 11pm the fire was contained and crews started to leave.

However, local firefighters stayed overnight, working in three-hour shifts to manage hot spots.

Fire investigator Lynda McHugh said the blaze is believed to have started where workers at the wreckers had been picking up and stacking cars on top of one another to make way for new equipment.

If an engine or battery had been left in any of the cars, sparks from these could have started the fire. Noori said said the financial impact of the fire would be felt, but he was thankful no one was hurt.

Over the years, the business had had its fair share of small fires that were dealt with easily with fire extinguishers, he said. “Nothing ever like this though.” — Daily Post