Waitomo caves remain closed after fire

Fire has destroyed the visitor centre at the main entrance to the Waikato's premier tourist attraction, the Waitomo Caves.

Tourism Holdings Ltd (THL), which runs the Waitomo Caves, pledged today to reopen the main cave within two days and rebuild the facility.

The fire service was told of the fire at the visitor centre at 2.38am today, and firefighters arrived in 18 minutes.

Four engines from Otorohanga and Te Kuiti raced to the caves but the visitor centre was well alight.

Otorohanga station officer Dave Bethell said it took 90 minutes for about 15 firefighters to bring the blaze under control.

The five-year-old building housed a ticket office, cafe and souvenir shop.

This morning smoke rose from the site as several firefighters remained dampening down the fire. The buildings were burnt to the ground with only the entry section of a charred staircase and structural poles still standing.

The cause of the fire was unknown this morning.

Fire safety officer Gerry Harris said firefighters did "a great job" containing the fire and preventing it from spreading into the surrounding forest, despite water problems.

Waitomo caves guide Slavica Ashworth said she was relieved to find that the caves and the glowworms weren't affected. "But I'm gutted, just really sad. It's been my life for five years and what do you do now, really? Things will restart no doubt.

"The caves will always go on. Buildings can be rebuilt."

THL managing director Dennis Pickup said he expected the cave would reopen within two days, as soon as fire investigations were complete.

THL had insurance on the $1 million building and it would be rebuilt as soon as practical.

In the meantime, visitors would be hosted in other THL facilities at the Ruakuri and Aranui caves and its blackwater rafting operations.

Mr Pickup said THL was thankful that no one was injured in the fire.

Tourism Waikato chief executive John Rasmussen said the Waitomo Caves, which attract an estimated 600,000 visitors a year, were huge for Waikato tourism and the fire was a blow, especially with the attraction approaching peak season.

- nzpa