Fire and Emergency New Zealand has released the Fire Investigation Report determining the cause and origin of the fire at the New Zealand International Conference Centre in central Auckland on October 22, 2019.
The convention centre was a large building of seven levels with a total floor area of 32,500 square metres. It was under construction at the time of the fire and was due for completion in 2020, FENZ says.
It was a large and dangerous fire and had a serious impact on the city of Auckland. During the fire crews from all over Auckland, as well as staff from across New Zealand assisted in bringing the fire under control.
At the fire's peak there were around 150 firefighters at the scene and up to 30 fire appliances, says FENZ.
The subsequent cause and origin investigation into the NZ International Conference Centre fire concluded the cause of the fire was accidental.
Investigators found the fire was inadvertently caused when the top layers of a waterproofing membrane – or cap sheet – were being laid on the roof of the convention centre.
Because of the significance and complexity of the conference centre fire, Fire and Emergency NZ had its investigation report independently peer reviewed.
The independent peer reviewers Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council.
They agreed with the investigators’ conclusions.
SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited confirms it has received a copy of the Fire Investigation Report prepared by Fire and Emergency New Zealand in relation to the significant fire that broke out on October 22, 2019.
Graeme Stephens, CEO of SkyCity Entertainment Group, says the SkyCity team welcomes the report.
"We thank FENZ for completing and releasing its report into the cause and origin of the NZICC fire and we are now reviewing these findings. We remain committed to the NZICC project and we look forward to works recommencing safely on the site," says Graeme.
