Precious items destroyed in blaze

TOM HUNT, ANDREA O'NEIL AND TALIA SHADWELL

Customers of a Kilbirnie self-storage building destroyed by fire have been shocked to discover it had no sprinkler system.

Heirlooms, Oscars and thousands of a DJ's precious vinyl records have all gone up in smoke in a fire that burned throughout the day at Kiwi Self Storage in Rongotai Rd, near Wellington Airport. Fire Service assistant area commander Paul Smith confirmed the building had no sprinklers.

If it had had them, the fire would have been contained to where it started, he said.

But there was no legal requirement for the building to have sprinklers.

Lord of the Rings cinematographer Alex Funke had two Oscars, as well as "some Baftas", in a unit at the heart of the blaze, which began about 12.45am.

He was not notified until 8.40am, and rushed down to the scene. "It's very upsetting," he said. "You put stuff in storage . . . you think it's safe."

Funke was not aware the building had no sprinklers when he put his items in storage.

He also understood the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences could probably replace the Oscar statuettes - but many customers have lost precious personal items that can never be replaced.

Radio Active DJ Brenden Robertson has lost about $60,000 worth of vinyl records and musical instruments; the Shanahan family has lost priceless photographs of Wellington's history taken by New Zealand Symphony Orchestra trombonist Thomas Shanahan; and many others have lost family treasures.

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Precious items destroyed in blaze