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CHARLIE O’MANNIN / Things
A fire destroyed a property on Lake Ōhau and other people were unharmed in the background.
There were three main factors in the way the fire that destroyed up to 50 houses in Lake Ohau village played.
While some properties escaped hell, others a few feet away were burned to the ground.
Bejon Haswell / Stuff
A destroyed property in Lake Ohau Village with others nearby that have been unharmed.
New Zealand Fire and Emergency Incident Controller Graeme Still said the embers strike, the type of fuel around a property and the type of structure were key factors.
He said that in the case of Lake Ōhau, the main reason why some houses were destroyed and others was not the transfer of embers.
Bejon Haswell / Stuff
A home in Lake Ohau Village that was untouched by the fire that destroyed up to 50 more on October 4, 2020.
“Due to the wind factor, the impact of the embers can occur randomly due to the way the embers are blown.”
The size of the grill also made a difference. The bigger the ember, the more likely it will set a structure on fire, he said.
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“Then there is the type of fuel around the structure. What kind of fuel was around the structure, if there was firewood on the deck, if it was a wooden deck. “
Charlie O’Mannin / THINGS
Video footage shows the extent of the destruction in the village of Lake Ōhau after a massive fire.
Still, he said the type of structure also had an impact on the bottom line.
It will conduct radiant heat, right? Sometimes radiant heat burns out. “
Still, he said the impact on the town had left him quite excited and feeling for the residents.
