Large blaze in central Christchurch
A large blaze broke out in a commercial building in the central city early Thursday morning.
What you need to know:
- Residents in parts of Christchurch are now being warned to stay indoors and keep windows shut.
- Thick smoke billowed through the sky after the blaze broke out in Sydenham.
- Dozens of firefighters were tackling the fire, which is in a building just off Colombo St housing a number of companies including Phoenix Recycling and vehicle certification company Auto Inspection Services.
- The fire is understood to have mainly affected the eastern part of the building, housing Auto Inspection Services. Its owner said he believed the fire had started in the adjacent recycling centre and had spread to his firm’s part of the building.
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand incident controller Dave Key said the fire was believed to have started in a pile of rubbish, and that the main damage from the blaze was to the building itself. The blaze was contained shortly after 8am, but fire crews would be at the scene for the rest of the day, he said.
Keep up to date on Stuff website. Did you see the smoke from your place?
Poll: Do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? ☔⚠️
As reported in the Press, the same low-pressure system that lashed the North Island over the weekend is now making its way south, bringing heavy rain and strong winds with it. It’s a soggy start to the week for many of us.
With more wild weather on the cards, we’re curious: do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? Or are you more of a “grab the torches and hope for the best” household?
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16.7% Yes - we like to be prepared
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66.7% Nah
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16.7% This is on my to-do list!
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.6% Yes, supporting people is important!
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25.9% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.5% ... It is complicated
🌿 Ōtukaikino Memorial Service Changes 🌿
This year marks a change, whereby Lamb and Hayward will no longer hold the usual Memorial Service in February at Ōtukaikino “The Living Memorial”. Instead, Lamb and Hayward will now host a Memorial Weekend in the spring.
This new format will include a tree dedication, followed by optional planting activities and guided tours of the site.
Created in 1992 with the Department of Conservation, The Living Memorial is a 13-hectare native wetland where a tree is planted for every funeral service conducted by Lamb & Hayward. It remains a peaceful space of remembrance for families, with the Angel Rock continuing as the resting place for Angels from our Christmas to Remember services.
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