Christchurch memorial for Ballantynes fire ransacked by thieves

A Christchurch memorial for New Zealand’s deadliest fire has been ransacked by thieves.

Twenty-three of the 41 individual bronze plaques for victims of the Ballantynes fire were missing when NZME visited Bromley’s Ruru Lawn Cemetery this morning.

One row of the memorial had been completely stripped by vandals.

Memorial plaques to the victims of the Ballantynes fire have been stolen from Ruru Lawn Cemetery in Christchurch. Photo / George Heard

At least seven plaques from wooden benches throughout the cemetery were also targeted – some of which were left damaged by the removal process.

The vandalism is understood to have occurred over the weekend.

Police confirm a report had been made, and it wanted to hear from anyone with information that could help identify those responsible.

“We know the community will be disturbed by the theft of plaques commemorating victims of the fire”.

Christchurch City Council head of parks Rupert Bool confirmed the plaques would be replaced.

“The council is concerned about the disappearance of historic plaques, which commemorate significant events and individuals that have shaped our city.”

The vandalism is understood to have occurred over the weekend. Photo / George Heard

Bool said the council took such incidents seriously and it “is looking at new ways to deter thefts”.

The Ballantynes memorial was erected by the Christchurch City Council to remember those who died on November 18, 1947 – in a massive fire that engulfed the city-centre department store.

Its cause was never definitively established, and it remains the deadliest blaze in New Zealand history.

The thefts have been reported to police. Photo / George Heard

The site was refurbished in 2014, after being damaged in the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes.

The Ruru Lawn Cemetery vandalism is the latest incident in an ongoing string of thefts among historic plaques in Christchurch.

There have also been ongoing issues with thieves tampering with the city’s power lines – with offenders seemingly targeting copper.

Those incidents have plunged Christchurch homes into darkness, prompting police to ask members of the public for their help in identifying those responsible.

Ballantynes have been approached for comment.

Blake Benny is a Christchurch-based reporter with a focus on tourism and social issues, along with general news.

Blake joined Newstalk ZB in 2022, having previously studied broadcast journalism at the New Zealand Broadcasting School.

You can contact Blake at blake.benny@nzme.co.nz