Fire at Waikato Museum

A fire which broke out at Hamiltons Waikato Museum nearly consumed a 200-year-old waka that is the prize of its collection - until the buildings sprinkler system saved the day.

Seven fire crews from Hamilton and as far afield as Ngaruawahia were dispatched to the museum on Grantham St tonight.

The Fire Services Waikato area commander Roy Breeze said the blaze had apparently began near the majestic Te Winika, a 200-year-old carved waka taua (Maori war canoe) of Ngaati Tipa; Ngaati Maahanga and Ngaati Maru collaboration.

All the floors of the building suffered some smoke damage, he said.It looks like it might have started on a wooden note table, near the end of the waka.

We are having to isolate the area until we can get a specialist investigator in to assess how the fire started.

The building houses an art, history and science collection of 38,000 pieces. It is also the current home of several touring exhibitions, including the popular Roman Machines collection.

Its quite a hard building to vent. Its very smoke-logged, Breeze said.

Without a doubt the buildings sprinkler system saved it from a lot more damage.

Te Winika was gifted to Waikato Museum by Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu in 1973 as a gesture of fellowship and goodwill with the city of Hamilton.

The waka was restored by a team of carvers led by Piri Poutapu in the 1930s after being buried in mud for 70 years.

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Fire at Waikato Museum