A man whose property was destroyed when a neighbouring derelict house went up in flames claims it was an “accident waiting to happen” and the council should have acted sooner. Bill Guthrie, of Guthrie Property Investments Ltd, described the property which went up in flames as high risk. “Council public health, building compliance and community services staff had been working with police and other agencies, and the property owner, to try to reduce the risk presented by the property. About 10 years ago, he said he approached the council with concerns about the neighbouring property, which he believed was abandoned and had squatters living in it. Four tenants had been living at the Guthrie property, which was being managed by property manager Matt Donnelly.

Source: Stuff June 13, 2021 23:32 UTC