Sprinkler systems urged for rural homes

This Dods Rd, Waikite Valley, home was completely destroyed on Wednesday. Photo / Supplied

Rural home owners are being urged to install home sprinkler systems to protect their homes in a fire after two homes were destroyed in the last three weeks. As well as Wednesday's fire at Dods Rd, Waikite Valley, there was a fire on Jay Rd, Reporoa three weeks ago.

Rotorua Fire Brigade fire safety investigator Stuart Bootten said the 35 minute drive from the station could be mitigated by sprinklers. It could be the difference between water damage and complete loss of a building.

"These two recent fires have taken us around 35 minutes for crews to get there," he said.

"A room in a house will be totally involved with fire in four minutes. We're unable to save much unless there's some other form of protection to control the fire until we arrive."

He said a home sprinkler system would use just 600 litres of water, compared to the 20,000 litres used by crews at Wednesday's fire.

By the time crews arrived the house was "well involved" and all the firefighters could do was protect the neighbouring garage.

Mr Bootten said home sprinklers would only be activated in the area where there was a fire, and not the whole house.

"It's easier to dry a room with water damage than to rebuild," he said.

"For personal safety sprinkler systems and smoke alarms provide early warning and cool the atmosphere to allow people to get out safely."

The Dods Rd fire has been officially recorded as undetermined cause but Mr Bootten said it was most likely a fault with the flue.

Anyone interested in home sprinkler systems can call Mr Bootten at Rotorua Fire Station on (07) 348 3197.