'Absolutely devastating': Fire investigators yet to determine cause of blaze at Off The Track restaurant
Fire investigators are still working to determine the cause of a fire that ravaged a popular Havelock North restaurant during the early hours of this morning.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Hawke's Bay Acting District Manager Glen Varcoe says as of yet, the cause is undetermined.
Three appliances, two from Havelock North and one from Hastings, initially responded to the blaze on Havelock Road at about 12.30am, with an additional appliance from Hastings.
"It was pretty significant. The kitchen area was where the main body of the fire was on arrival.
"They had the fire under control within half an hour to an hour and were on scene until 3am. And then fire investigators were back on the scene about 8am to complete a fire investigation."
Varcoe says fire investigators have been on scene most of the day "working through their processes to find a cause but at this stage we don't have one".
Off The Track shared the "absolutely devastating news" on social media.
“In the early hours of this morning we have had a fire at Off The Track restaurant.
“We will be closing until further notice.”
However, they said: "We will rebuild".
They thanked customers for their "continued support".
"We are overwhelmed by the support and care from everybody."
