The cause of a fire at the Frankton Golf Centre last year has been revealed. PHOTO: TRACEY ROXBURGHA still-hot heat gun left near a wicker basket caused a fire that badly damaged the Frankton Golf Centre, a Fire and Emergency NZ report says. The SMS (safety management system) report into the December 13 blaze, supplied to Allied Media this week under official information law, said the heat gun was found under a workbench in the building’s workshop in "close proximity to a wicker/cane basket". The report said residual heat could remain in the nozzle of a heat gun — commonly used for peeling paint — after it had been switched off. No-one was hurt in the fire, which forced the temporary closure of the golf centre’s driving range, clubhouse and pro shop.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 13, 2026 15:32 UTC