Visitor spies smoke in museum workshop By JAYNE HULBERT - Taranaki Daily News Tuesday, 6 February 2007
Nigel Ogle watched in despair as firefighters battled a blaze in a workshop at his landmark Tawhiti Museum near Hawera yesterday.
According to the fire brigade, the blaze is believed to have started by spontaneous combustion from chemical-soaked rags in a rubbish bin.
A member of the public spotted smoke coming from the museum workshop about 2.30pm and alerted staff.
Tawhiti Museum, owned by Mr Ogle and his wife, Teresa Ogle, is well-known for its life-sized models and displays.
It was recently revealed the museum would be working with Wellington's Weta Workshop on a new display.
At the scene of the fire, an emotional Mr Ogle was comforted by his wife and staff. The couple did not want to comment about the fire.
Hawera Fire Service chief Darryl Fowler said the smoke damage to the workshop and its contents was "very severe".
Mr Ogle had been working on several mannequins bound for a South Island museum.
People had been working in the workshop earlier, but they had locked up for the day around lunchtime.
Mr Fowler said it was fortunate the visitor had seen the smoke.
"The early find really saved it from developing into something larger," he said.
Because of all the chemicals and resins in the workshop, the fire service's hazardous substance and decontamination unit was taken to the fire as a precaution, but was not required.
Last week Mr Ogle revealed he was working on a project called South Seas Traders, in conjunction with Weta Workshop.
The display would tell the stories of early contact between European traders and Maori tribes.
Mr Ogle said it would take two years to build at the Tawhiti complex in Ohangai Rd.
The South Taranaki District Council is investing $500,000 in the project.
