Crimeline: Glenorchy tiny house destroyed by fire
Glenorchy tiny house destroyed by fire
Fire completely engulfed and destroyed a sleepout-tiny house in Birley Rise, just outside Glenorchy, yesterday afternoon (15 April), with two volunteer Queenstown Fire crews and a Glenorchy Fire crew all involved in fighting the blaze, which started about 2.30pm.
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson says on route to Glenorchy the crews asked for their water tanker to be sent out. “We started fielding multiple calls about the fire and our crews arrived to find it well involved,” the spokesman says. The occupants of the one-bedroom, 20m by 15m
sleepout weren’t home at the time. The spokesperson says it appears that a digger on the site was used to help pull the building apart and fully extinguish the fire with crews finally leaving the site at 6.40pm.
FENZ Otago Lakes group assistant commander Nic McQuillan says fire crews had to shuttle water using tankers and cool log cylinders that had been affected by the fire from a distance. The cause of the fire was unknown at this stage, but a FENZ fire investigator was investigating.
Heli rescues:
Earnslaw Burn
Two people were rescued by the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter on Monday night (13 April) about 8km from the start of the popular Earnslaw Burn Track, near Glenorchy, after the alarm was raised at 9.30pm.
It’s understood they were picked up from the side of the creek on what was a cold night, but it’s unclear whether the pair were injured or lost.
A St John Ambulance spokesperson says the two people were assessed by the helicopter crew, but no information was available as to whether either of them was injured, whether they were transported to hospital, or where they were from.
A Police spokesperson says Police were notified but not required to attend.
Bluffed in Fiordland National Park
Two people, one injured, were also rescued from Fiordland National Park after they became bluffed and called for help just after 11am last Thursday, 9 April. The rescue helicopter flew in with a paramedic from Queenstown. A St John spokesperson says one patient in a moderate condition was flown to Lakes District Hospital.
Ben Lomond
A person was also picked up off Ben Lomond by the rescue helicopter yesterday morning (Wednesday, 14 April) after a call came in for help just after 9.30am. A St John spokesperson says one patient was flown to Lakes District Hospital with minor injuries.
Time for a feed
A 36-year-old Queenstown man was arrested for obstruction after a scuffle on the street outside Fergburger on Saturday. Haggart says Police were called after there was some alleged pushing and shoving and a few punches thrown by an unknown man. Two local men, 36 and 27, had to be separated by Police. The 36-year-old was released without charge once he calmed down, she says.
Drinking and cannabis
Four men were seen allegedly drinking and consuming cannabis in a vehicle parked in Camp Street at 1.20am on Saturday. Haggart says a search of the vehicle allegedly located a cannabis grinder and small amount of cannabis. A 28-year-old Queenstown man was issued with an infringement notice for drinking in an alcohol ban area, while a 27-year-old Christchurch man was warned for possession of cannabis and cannabis utensils, she says. Education was given.
Car rolls 15m off Moke Lake Road
A 20-year-old woman and her passenger were fortunate to escape injury after their vehicle rolled about 15m down a bank on Moke Lake Road, coming to rest on its roof against a tree, at midday on Saturday, Haggart says. The woman had been driving towards Glenorchy Road and allegedly overcorrected after taking a bend too far to the left in loose gravel losing control, Haggart says. Police are investigating.
Drink driving
An 18yr old Otorohanga male driver allegedly blew 864mcg when he was allegedly spotted driving down Camp Street at 1.21am on Friday, 10 April, with no headlights on. Haggart says the man has been charged and will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 24 April.
Infringement notices – Police checkpoints:
31-year-old Queenstown man, Hawthorne Drive, 4.05am, Thursday, 9 April, 400mcg.
26-year-old Nelson man, Yewlett Crescent, 6.22pm, Tuesday, 14 April, 386mcg.
