Dealership fire under investigation

Fire investigators are attempting to figure out the cause of a fire at a Queenstown car dealership that occurred in the morning of May 20. 

The fire, which was located at the Macaulay Motors dealership, prompted a large-scale response from Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ). 

According to the Otago Daily Times (ODT), more than 30 volunteer firefighters and five fire trucks were needed to tackle the blaze.

A FENZ spokeswoman says the blaze was brought under control within about 25 minutes of the 9.43am alarm.

A Southern District Health Board spokeswoman says the injured worker was discharged after treatment at Lakes District Hospital for moderate burns to his hands. 

The Ford and Mazda franchise, which opened five months ago, housed a showroom, vehicle servicing centre and offices.
Macaulay Motors’ marketing manager Suzanne Van Pels told the ODT she didn’t want to comment on the blaze or emergency services’ response because an investigation is underway.

Frankton Volunteer Fire Brigade senior station officer Michael Ide says the first crew to respond had to call for a “second alarm'” response as it approached the scene, activating the call-out of four more crews.

The presence of diesel, petrol and acetylene in the building also added to the fire’s risk factor. An unnamed witness says flames emerged from the building’s roof within about two minutes.

To read the ODT’s original article please click here.