Brothel fire 'not suspicious'

A blaze which badly damaged a brothel in central Auckland yesterday afternoon was not suspicious.

Staff were evacuated after the fire broke out on the second floor of the building in Fort Street, at 1.50pm.

Fire safety officer Ray Coleman said the fire, which started in a sleeping area, was caused by an electrical fault,

"A short circuit developed and caused a light to drop in the lighting circuit which ignited bedding below it."

The brothel was extensively damaged by fire and a ground floor internet cafe and restaurant suffered water damage.

- NZPA