August 17, 2015
Wharekai fire warning for smoke alarms
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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