Police were called to a fire at a commercial premises on Donovan Drive, Franz Josef yesterday evening at around 7.40pm.
We received a call from a man’s partner saying he was driving a bulldozer over the property and that the house, which is also a mechanical workshop, was on fire.
The partner was not at the scene and was not in danger. She was being cared for by nearby residents and Police.
Police believe the man had a number of firearms wrapped in a blanket and that he was carrying a barrel of oil in the bucket of the bulldozer.
Police arrived at the scene and immediately cleared the area to provide safety for nearby residents.
Local volunteer fire services turned out. However, due to the ongoing risk around dangerous goods and the severity of the fire, action was not able to be taken until these risks were reduced.
Senior Sergeant Vicki Walker, acting West Coast Area Commander says: “Police and Fire worked together to ensure the safety of nearby residents and ensure that the risks to life and property were minimised.
“Local Police and Fire Service investigators will be at the scene investigating the cause of the fire and Police will be maintaining a presence at the scene," she says.
Although still to be confirmed, we are not aware of any threat being made to anyone. The public can be reassured that they are not at risk and enquiries are ongoing to locate the male occupant.
However, with information gathered at this stage Police do not believe that there is a risk to any other person.
The fire was extinguished just before 2.30am this morning and there have been a few minor flare-ups since, resulting in the local fire service being called back to the scene.
Police on the West Coast would like to thank the people of Franz Josef for their patience and cooperation during the event and can reassure them that there is no threat to the public.
Police expect to be in a position to provide an update on this investigation this afternoon, when media interviews will be considered.
ENDS
Police Media Centre.