Nearby buildings have been evacuated this afternoon as emergency services tackle a fire in a historic Central Otago building — home to New Zealand’s oldest-operating cinema.
A hotel and “another building in the area where people were inside” were evacuated as smoke continued to billow from the building, Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley told 1News.
“There is quite possibly water damage that will be left in the building following this incident.”
Alley said crews and fire investigators are “now just waiting for the final pieces of the fire to be extinguished and for the building to be deemed safe again”.
Fire and Emergency NZ said it received a call about a fire at the Roxburgh Town Hall around 11.48am.
“We responded, and upon arrival, units from two more stations were sent, plus a command unit,” a spokesperson said.
Further units were requested when the second round of resources arrived.
The fire was burning in the roof of the building, the spokesperson added.
Police cordons were set up to divert the public away from the burning building.
Central Otago District Council said staff would be on site once fire crews had the situation under control.
The cinema opened on December 11, 1897 and can seat 258 persons.
Local resident Amanda Thatcher said it was sad to see the historic building go up in flames.
“I know how much work the local community have put into restoring it.”
