Erua fire destructive

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 45, 22 April 1986, Page 2

Erua fire destructive

A fire at Erua Ski Lodge, near National Park, caused nearly half a million dollars worth of damage last Tuesday. However, the lodge's owner, Lloyd Horn, with 80 beds surviving the fire, Said he was still open for business. The cause of the fire, the worst in the National Park area for six years, is not yet known but insurance assessors are sifting through the remains looking for clues. It is likely that the fire started in the kitchen area, Mr Horn said. Three guests staying at the lodge were unharmed as . they were able to get clear of their units before they burnt down. Mr Horn and his wife were staying in a cottage behind the lodge. National Park and Ohakune Volunteer Fire Brigades attended the fire, which began about 1 1 pm last Monday night, along with an officer and five inmates from Waikune Camp Prison. Mr Horn said he would replace the lost buildings as far as finance and insurance allow. However he was unsure whether they would be ready for this ski season. He has owned the lodge for 24 years and had started to redevelop the area which hasJ>urnt_down.