Mobility scooter fire sparks huge blaze at Te Kūiti supermarket
A mobility scooter fire caused significant damage to a New World supermarket in Te Kūiti, forcing an evacuation and temporary closure. While no humans were injured, the incident resulted in the loss of a dog and disrupted the town's primary grocery access.
Why it matters
The fire highlights the vulnerability of essential local infrastructure and the potential safety risks associated with battery-powered mobility devices.
<p>A mobility scooter caught fire, sparking a huge blaze as flames spread to a Te Kūiti supermarket. </p> <p>Firefighters were called to the Te Kūiti Ōtorohanga New World at around 8.20am. </p> <p>In a statement, a Foodstuffs spokesperson told 1News emergency services were called to the entrance of the store around 8.15am.</p> <p>"Some smoke entered the store, activating the fire alarm system and there was some damage to the front of the store. As a precaution, the store was evacuated while emergency services responded."</p> <p>The spokesperson said no one was injured in the blaze.</p> <p>"The store is currently closed while we assess the situation and ensure the site is safe to reopen.
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