Lake Ohau village lost many homes to fire last year. Photo / Otago Daily TimesAn electrical short circuit on a power pole was responsible for one of the biggest fires in New Zealand history. Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) has today released its reports into the Lake Ōhau fire, which destroyed 48 homes in the early hours of October 4 last year. "Vegetation, terrain, high temperatures and, in particular, severe winds contributed to the rapid spread of this fire towards the Lake Ōhau village and surrounding countryside," he said. Fire damaged properties in Lake Ohau village after an out of control scrub fire took hold on the shoreline of Lake Ohau.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 18, 2021 10:39 UTC