Rugby test bonus up in smoke as fire shuts pub

Damage caused by a rubbish fire closed The Loading Ramp on Saturday. Photo / Duncan Brown

A fire sparked by hot ash forced popular Havelock North establishment The Loading Ramp to close on the eve of what they hoped would be one of the busiest days of the year.

Hawke's Bay Today spoke with manager Jarrod Lowe on Friday, who said they were expecting "a tidal wave back to Havelock North," after the All Blacks played Argentina at McLean Park.

Unfortunately they didn't get that chance. The Havelock North volunteer fire service was called to the Treachers Lane address about 10am on Saturday, after a nearby business raised the alarm.

Chief fire officer Rod Triplow said they arrived to find flames coming from a rubbish bag, leaning against the wall in a back room, which had been filled with hot ash from the bar's fireplaces and other rubbish.

"It was burning a little bit, but it's ruined the wiring on the switchboard, which will put them out of action until they get it fixed," said Mr Triplow

Firefighters were on the scene for about two hours quelling the blaze and determining its cause.

Mr Triplow said it was a timely reminder for people to properly dispose of ash from fireplaces.

"It just shows you what can happen when you are not disposing of it properly, they stay hot for two to three days, sometimes even longer.

"Make sure you put them in a metal container and if you are going to dispose of them leave them for a long period of time, or wet them down."

Hawke's Bay Today was unable to contact Mr Lowe for comment last night.