Film-maker’s ‘stupid act’ caused fire

Press, 3 December 1982, Page 15

Film-maker’s ‘stupid act’ caused fire

PA . Whangarei Setting off an explosion, which resulted in half of Moturua Island being burnt off. was an act of incredible stupidity, the Bay of Islands Park Board was'told. ' The stunt, for the film. “Savage Islands.” was detonated on a windy day. said Mr Alec Furness, a member of the Bay of Islands Maritime and Historic Park Board. Mr Furness was commenting on the fire which swept up the island on Monday, burning off about 50 per cent of the regenerating native bush and scrub. The fire broke out when burning debris from a planned explosion on a trawler, modified to appear like a German gunboat, was flung nearly 300 m from the moored boat to the foreshore.

"To contemplate what they did with the wind condition's as they were and with the island close by and tinder dry. was nothing but a foolhardy, senseless act of vandalism." Mr Furness said.

Mr Furness said Moturua Island was regarded as the "heart" of the board's administrative region, and the loss of regenerating bush was an “absolute disaster."

He had watched the explosion and the subsequent rapid spread of the fire, fanned by the strong wind. "Somebody made a serious error in judgment in deciding to go ahead with the explosion under these conditions, and the board should be making every effort to find out exactly who," Mr Furness said. “The matter should not be allowed to rest. It was an act of incredible stupidity. It was not just a breeze which was blowing onshore at the time — it was a very strong wind, almost a gale.

"The mushroom from the explosion on the ship was as high as the hills on Moturua Island. It appears that far too much explosive was used." he said.

The board's chief ranger. Mr John Gardiner, said that

the vegetation on about half the island had been destroyed by the blaze. Included were stands of Pohutukawa and valleys which carried pockets of “advanced, naturally regenerated bush cover."