Fire at Toi Ōhiwa Damages 'Much-loved' Smoker

Fire and Emergency New Zealand received multiple calls about a building fire in Maraetotara around 5:03am on Friday.

A spokesperson for Toi Ōhiwa said the fire is currently under investigation by Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Police.

"We are incredibly grateful that no one was injured, and importantly, there was no impact to our oyster stock."

They said their smoker was damaged, which has been "part of this site for over 27 years and was passed on to us in 2023."

"It holds a lot of history for our whānau and the oyster farm itself, and we’re looking forward to getting it repaired and back up and running next week."

They said their processing facility remains unaffected, and they will be open as normal today and throughout the weekend.

"We truly appreciate the support from our community, including the many kind messages and phone calls we’ve received. We are open today and throughout the weekend as normal, and look forward to welcoming people down."

Toi Ōhiwa would like to thank the member of the public who reported the fire quickly, "allowing emergency services to respond as fast as they did."
 

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand shift manager said crews from Ōhope, Whakatāne, and Edgecumbe arrived at a 5m by 5m utility shed fire.

She said the fire was extinguished around 6:20am, and a fire investigator was requested and attended the scene.

Detective Sergeant Max Holder said police are investigating the fire on Wainui Road, and it is being treated as suspicious.

"Officers will be working at the scene today alongside an investigator from Fire and Emergency New Zealand."

Anyone with information that could assist the police is asked to contact 105 and quote file number 260320/1416.

Anonymous reports can be made to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.