Firefighters have successfully contained a blaze that broke out at the Piha RSA in West Auckland late Thursday night. The incident, described as “devastating” by local officials, began in a small smoking area adjacent to the main building. Thanks to the swift response of local volunteers and crews from Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), the fire was prevented from engulfing the entire structure.
RSA Auckland district president Graham Gibson expressed relief, stating that initial videos of the fire led him to fear the worst for the building. However, the rapid and efficient action of the firefighting teams ensured the main building was spared significant damage. The Piha RSA leadership lauded the firefighters’ quick response, saying it was crucial in saving the building from what could have been a catastrophic outcome.
In a social media statement, the Piha RSA acknowledged the severity of the fire, which severely damaged the outside area next to the building, and expressed gratitude for the efforts that contained the blaze. The RSA will remain closed until further notice.
A FENZ spokesperson reported receiving multiple emergency calls just before midnight, with fire crews arriving on the scene within ten minutes. Five fire trucks, a ladder truck, two support vehicles, and a command unit were deployed to tackle the fire. The last team left the site around 3:30 am on Friday.
Fiona Anderson, a manager at the nearby Piha Campground, noted that the fire seemed to start in the RSA’s smoking room. She mentioned that the RSA was already closed at the time of the fire, aligning with their usual Thursday closing time of 11 pm. Concerned by a glow from the smoking room area that seemed unusual, witnesses promptly alerted the fire brigade.
Fire investigators are expected to be on site today to determine the cause of the fire.
