Home show fire causes pricey damage

There was anger at the Christchurch Home Show after a fire this morning set off the venue's automatic sprinkler system and did millions of dollars of damage to trade stalls and the products in them.

More than 180 stalls were affected and the home show had to be cancelled.

As the people started streaming in, they were told to turn around. The home show was off.

A small fire started at about 7am this morning inside the CBS Arena.

It triggered the venue's automatic sprinkler system, which rained down on and potentially damaged many of the 180-odd trade stalls set up inside.

"Obviously there's been a lot of smoke damage," says Vbase general manager Darren Burden. "The sprinklers activated and the fire brigade were on scene pretty quickly."

More than 1200 people were expected to attend the Rebuild and Renovate Christchurch Home Show over the weekend.

"The business that these shows can unfold for local businesses is in the millions," says event organiser Amanda Magnus. "It's a huge blow to everyone involved."

Many of the stalls were also at the Auckland Home Show, including Patrick Scott who had more than $150,000 worth of spas and pool products inside.

"I hate to think. It's going to take us quite a while to work out cost of sales, cost of goods," says Mr Scott.

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Home show fire causes pricey damage