Well,
A handyman that I know, will be looking for a new job, can you accomodate him?.
New Zealand Fire Service Ashburton turned out to a house fire this afternoon.
Nothing un-usual really, except that this hasn't even been lived in yet.
I was the Officer on the first responding Appliance and when we got there, the thing was going well.
We were met by the said Handyman at the gate.
He was distraught(sp?).
New house, grounds all landscaped, the whole project cost NZ$2.1 million.
But what caused all this, is this, according to the H/man.
  • At about 10am he was in the Garage and noticed a humming sound coming from the Main Switchboard, he then discounted it as normal, as he said Contactors always hum.
  • About 11:30 the first pole fuse blew.
  • About 11:35 the second pole fuse blew.
  • About 11:40 the third pole fuse blew,
    (in sympathy of the other two)
  • Around 11:50, with the thought of no power crashing the pre-installed C-Bus Automation system, the handyman, then proceeded to climb the pole on the boundary, remove the standard BS 88 HRC fuses and fit wire to the holders and replace them.
  • 1200, power back on, C-Bus system still working, problem alleviated.
  • Around 1300, the Handyman notices smoke and flames coming from the other side of the building (he was doing the gardens around the back)
  • 13:25 Ashburton 621 and other appliances arrive.
  • 13:30 Second Alarm is called, bringing in appliances from Methven, Hinds and Rakaia.
  • Police are responded, with the information at hand.

We lost this house, a 7 bedroom, 2 living area, 2 studies building.
And nearly lost 2 BA crews in the thing.
We had to just stand back and put the Deck Monitors on the thing.
So sad to see, a well built building be reduced to ashes, because of one guy's stupidity.
Mind you, he is 55. [Linked Image]