Fire speeds plans for demolition

Demolition of Rotorua's abandoned multiplex may be fast-tracked after a fire last week.

Rotorua District Council building controls manager Pat Lawrence said he had met the council's legal advisers and had proposed speeding up the process for demolishing the building.

Several parts of the Pukuatua St building, including the roof, were badly damaged in the fire, early on Tuesday.

Mr Lawrence said the legal advisers needed time to consider the council's next move.

He said he had been contacted by the building's owners, who wanted to meet him this week to discuss proposed developments for the building.

"Their plans haven't changed our plans [of having the building demolished]."

Meanwhile, a second man has appeared in the Rotorua District Court charged with arson in relation to the fire.

He is Jason David Skipwith, 20, unemployed, of no fixed abode.

Judge Phillip Cooper remanded him in custody to appear again on Thursday, when it is expected a date will be set for a depositions hearing.

- NZPA