'Disappointed' Napier firefighters cancel training exercise

The chance to burn down the former Outlaws gang house in Ahuriri was a "once in a million" opportunity for firefighters. Photo / Paul Taylor

Firefighters have cancelled their plan to burn down an old gang house in Napier as a fire training exercise.

The doomed Ahuriri house, which originally belonged to the Outlaws motorcyle gang, will instead be demolished by its current owners.

The planned exercise was going to involve more than 30 Hawke's Bay volunteer firefighters, with the house being burned down over the course of a day.

The house had been completely gutted of harmful material such as asbestos as to not pose any health risk to members of the public.

The exercise was supposed to commence last Saturday, but New Zealand Fire training officer Chris Kennedy said they've now had to cancel it.

The old Outlaws building was completely fenced off so as to prepare for the exercise.

Neighbours and surrounding residents were notified beforehand with one resident who lived directly next door saying he was relieved it had been called off.

"I've got a young kid and a dog and I was worried about all the smoke, so I'm quite happy it's not going ahead anymore."

Another resident who lived across the road said she was also happy it had been called off.

"I don't like the idea of a lot of smoke hanging around so I'm happy it's been cancelled," she said.

Kennedy said earlier this week the postponement was due to the house "not being ready" and more work needed to be done.

However, the call was made on Wednesday to cancel it completely because it was no longer workable in the "time frames going forward", Kennedy said.

"This happens, once in a million, and it is disappointing, but we're hoping to find another house in Hawke's Bay," he said.

The point of the live exercise was to provide "vital" training for volunteer firefighters who would eventually be faced with the real thing.

"We basically start off with small exercises where volunteers will go in as groups and the house is burned down throughout the course of the day. It's monitored at all times by experienced firefighter teams and appliances are also on site throughout."

Kennedy said although the operation wasn't going ahead, it was still important for members of the public to practice their safety drills, should they need to evacuate due to a fire.

"The months are starting to get colder as well, so it's important to check your smoke alarms are working along with electrical appliances such as electric blankets."