Close call for historic tavern

KITCHEN FIRE: Gillian Houser is grateful to her staff and local firefighters for their quick action.

By Julia West

Late Saturday morning on January 19 a small fire broke out in the kitchen at the Mangawhai Tavern. 

The fire started due to a faulty thermostat but was quickly contained due to the prompt action of staff and the speedy response of the Mangawhai Heads volunteer fire brigade.

Staff evacuated the premises and the tavern was closed while volunteer firefighters took action. 

“As soon as the fire service finished, we were open again,” said tavern proprietor Gillian Houser. “As much as we didn’t need it, we managed it.”

There was no shortage of fire appliances at the scene with the Mangawhai brigade first on the scene followed by fire trucks from Kaiwaka and Maungaturoto. 

Ms Houser commented that the presence of so many fire trucks was “a bit of an over-kill” but she was grateful for the quick action and positive attitude of the firefighters who attended the scene.

“The deep fryer had caught alight in the kitchen and spread to the wall, and with the temperature of the oil, the fire kept re-igniting,” said Mangawhai Heads chief fire officer Maurie Doughty, who attended the fire.

“It had the potential to destroy the hotel and that has been one of our fears because of its age. We had to use dry powder and a high-pressure hose to bring it under control. Ms Houser and her staff did everything right to ensure the fire didn’t spread.”

“We will be putting in new kitchen equipment to minimise the risk of fire,” said Ms Houser “and it is business as usual at the Tavern with a full menu being served and live music on every weekend.”