Fire at Speight's Ale House
A Queenstown pub in an historic downtown building has been extensively damaged by a fire that broke out this morning.
More than 30 firefighters tackled the blaze at Speight's Ale House, on the corner of Stanley St and Ballarat St.
They fought to stop the fire spreading to a huge neighbouring mixed-use residential and commercial building, although the people inside had evacuated once they heard the alarm.
"There was a point where we concerned about the other buildings," Queenstown Lakes fire service assistant commander Nic McQuillan says.
"The fire began on the ground floor but developed into the roof void, which we had difficult accessing.
"It was in back corner, right next to the other buildings, so we put a lot of effort into containing it and preventing it from spreading to the other buildings, which we were successful with.
"Fortunately, as the alarm activated, most of the residents self-evacuated. We double checked by going door to door."
No one was injured.
"It proves that fire alarms in commercial buildings are effective," McQuillan says.
"We had no injuries, no risk to life at any stage through the incidents. That's a good result."
Queenstown Lakes fire service assistant commander Nic McQuillan
Crews from Queenstown, Arrowtown and Frankton rushed to the scene, about six appliances in all, along with support crews and the command unit from Alexandra.
By about 10am, the fire had been brought under control, although crews remain on site checking hotspots. A fire investigation officer will arrive today to begin to attempt to pinpoint the cause.
McQuillan says firefighters removed roofing on three of the four sides of the building, to access the roof void.
"There will need to be a lot of clean up and that's something the insurance company and owner will work through.
"The damage is pretty extensive. There's smoke damage to the downstairs area, about a quarter of the floor space, and of course damage to the void."
Smoke was seen pouring from the windows, doors and roof space at one point, but the flames were relatively limited.
The 1881 listed stone building was used as council offices at one point in it history, but has been occupied by Speight's Ale House since 2000.
The neighbouring building is home to several businesses, including the Brazz pub.
