Key Takeaways
- A suspicious fire damaged four vehicles belonging to Christchurch company Treetech at Invercargill’s Queens Park in the early hours of the morning
- The incident is being investigated by Police and Fire and Emergency NZ, with two fire investigators working alongside Police
- The damage is estimated to be around $1 million, but Treetech is working to get back up and running as soon as possible
- The incident may affect the recovery efforts in Queens Park, which suffered major damage from strong winds in October
- The area where the incident occurred has been cordoned off and is being treated as a crime scene
Introduction to the Incident
The city of Invercargill is reeling after a suspicious fire damaged four vehicles at Queens Park in the early hours of the morning. The trucks, which belonged to Christchurch company Treetech, were being used to assist with storm recovery efforts at the park. The incident was notified to Fire and Emergency NZ by Police at 12:18am, and it has been flagged as suspicious. A spokesperson for Fire and Emergency NZ confirmed that the incident is being investigated, and two fire investigators are working alongside Police to determine the cause of the fire.
Impact on Treetech and the Community
The damage caused by the fire is estimated to be around $1 million, which is a significant blow to Treetech. However, the company’s chief executive, Chris Walsh, is determined to get back up and running as soon as possible. Walsh stated that the company would be pulling out all the stops to continue with their work, and gear would arrive from other depots in the coming days to replace the damaged vehicles. The incident is particularly devastating for Walsh, who was raised in Invercargill and started his climbing career in Queens Park. The area holds a special place in his heart, and the incident is a setback for the community, which has been working tirelessly to recover from the storm damage.
Investigation and Response
Detective Sergeant John Kean of Invercargill confirmed that it appears the four vehicles were deliberately set alight. Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident. The Invercargill City Council manager for parks and recreation, Caroline Rain, stated that the incident occurred at the park’s maintenance yard and that the area is now a crime investigation scene. The council is working with Treetech to assess the extent of the damage and determine the next steps forward. The site has been cordoned off with a gate and emergency tape, and it is not clear how the incident will affect the recovery efforts, which include reopening the remaining closed part of the park.
Recovery Efforts and Future Plans
Queens Park suffered major damage when strong winds toppled trees in October, and the recovery efforts have been ongoing. The incident may affect the planned reopening of Coronation Drive in Queens Park by Christmas, which Walsh believed may no longer be possible. The council and Treetech are working together to get the recovery efforts back on track, but it is unclear how long it will take to complete the work. The incident is a setback for the community, which has been working hard to recover from the storm damage. However, the determination and resilience of the community and the companies involved, such as Treetech, will help to get the recovery efforts back on track.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, the suspicious fire at Queens Park is a significant incident that has caused damage to four vehicles and may affect the recovery efforts in the park. The investigation is ongoing, and the police and fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire. The community and the companies involved, such as Treetech, are working together to get the recovery efforts back on track. The incident is a reminder of the importance of community resilience and determination in the face of adversity. As the investigation continues, it is essential to support the community and the companies involved in their efforts to recover from the storm damage and get back to normal.
