The Pukaki Gardens Korean Restaurant in Twizel was severely damaged after being gutted by a huge blaze.
According to reports, firefighters with six appliances from Kurow, Otematata, Omarama, Tekapo and Fairlie helped the Twizel Fire Brigade, which was called to the scene at around 12:30pm yesterday.
The incident happened on Mackenzien Dr, among High Country Lodge and backpacker accommodations. Otago Daily Times reported that the restaurant building is being leased to the operator, who was not in the scene at the time of the fire.
The firefighters took about two hours to bring the fire under control. According to Mid-South Canterbury area commander Paul Henderson, the fire was significant for a town of Twizel’s size.
Brent Cunningham, one of the owners of the building that housed the restaurant, told Stuff that seeing his tenant was devastating: “I’m standing right in front of it now. I was alerted at about 10 to one. When I saw the Korean lady, when I saw how upset she was, that was a bit of a tear-jerker,” he said.
Henderson said that demolishing was underway in order to get into the roof void of the building. Clearance has already been made with the restaurant’s insurance company.
“So we are starting to demolish and will be here for a few more hours,” Henderson told reporters.
“So we are starting to demolish and will be here for a few more hours,” Henderson told reporters. “The crews did a very good job to prevent the fire spreading to the backpackers,” he added.
No one was reportedly hurt. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
