Wed, Aug 4, 2021 2:35 AM

Fire scare in CBD

Two fire crews attended a fire scare at the forum today. Photo: Matt Brown.

Matt Brown

The fire brigade was called to the scene of a central Blenheim business at the centre of a fire scare.

Two Blenheim fire crews rushed to the building at about 1.52pm - to find a blocked chimney.

Businesses were evacuated, and bystanders milled about watching the drama unfold.

People evacuated from the surrounding businesses watched on as wisps of smoke came from the top of the building. Photo: Matt Brown.
People evacuated from the surrounding businesses watched on as wisps of smoke came from the top of the building. Photo: Matt Brown.

One witness described billowing grey smoke coming from the forum building's top floor tenant, Dolce Cafe.

Two Blenheim fire crews rushed to the building at about 1.52pm.

James Caldwell was sitting at Liz Davidson Park when he noticed smoke.

Fire fighters were called to the scene just before 2pm. Photo: Matt Brown.
Fire fighters were called to the scene just before 2pm. Photo: Matt Brown.

"It covered the trees. I pointed it out to a police man, who was pulling someone over," he says.

"He went around and knocked on doors to evacuate people."

The forum building was gutted by a fire at the beginning of 2020.

Fire Communications shift manager Andrew Norris says some smoke went into the cafe, but there was no damage from the blocked chimney.

"They went in, unblocked the chimney, and that was that," he says.