Carvings damaged in museum fire

Photo / File

Several carvings were damaged in a blaze at the Waikato Museum in Hamilton.

Northern shift communications manager Michael Upton said firefighters were alerted to the blaze on Grantham St about 8pm.

Seven appliances were sent to the job, and a specialist fire investigator had also been called in, he said.

"There's been some damage to some carvings in the museum down near where the waka is on the lower ground floor."

Museum staff were currently on site assessing the damage, and the specialist fire investigator would look into the cause of the blaze, Mr Upton said.

Information from firefighters on site showed it was a "small fire" which had been contained by the museum's sprinkler system, he said.

Crews were now working on ventilating the building.

Hamilton mayor Julie Hardaker was relieved damage from the fire had been minor.

"Absolutely relieved. All the systems worked and the damage is minor."