The New Zealand Fire Service's National marae advisor Piki Thomas says the weekend fire which destroyed the wharekai at Mokai Marae near Taupo is a warning to other marae to make sure they have good smoke alarm systems.
Piki Thomas says the wharekai being used for a tangi was engulfed in flames before firefighters could get there but may have been saved with a better early warning system.
" People could see a little bit of smoke from the outside but inside this particular room obviously it was full of smoke. Even with a faint whiff of smoke our smoke alarms would have sounded and got the attention of somebody to go in and have a look" he says.
Piki Thomas says every marae can get a free fire safety visit from the Fire Service's local Maori liaison officer and should take advantage of this by calling 0800 MAHUIKA (624 8452)
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