FIRE INVESTIGATION REPORT
Catherine Place, Henderson, Auckland
Act
Information
Official
the
Under
Released
Incident Information:
F3237517
Suspicious Fire
8:17 p.m. 6 May 2021
Report completed by:
Nick Linton, Specialist Fire Investigator
Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Te Hiku
Fire Investigation Report
Page 2 of 30
Table of contents
Table of contents .................................................................................................................................................. 2 Author’s brief ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 Executive summary .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Terms of reference ................................................................................................................................................ 6 Description and use of building .......................................................................................................................... Act
7
Pre-incident events ............................................................................................................................................... 8 Discovery of fire .................................................................................................................................................... 9 Fire and Emergency New Zealand response .................................................................................................... 10 Process of investigation ..................................................................................................................................... 11
Interviews
11
Scene Examination
11
Area and point of origin ...................................................................................................................................... 27
Area of Origin
Information 27
Point of Origin
27
Conclusions ........................................................................................................................................................ 28
Supposed Cause
28
Elimination of Other Possible Causes
28
Report approvals................................................................................................................................................. 29 Appendix 1: Witness Details [SENSITIVE DO NOT DE Official
LETE] .......................................................................... 30
the
Under
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 3 of 30
Author’s brief
My full name is Nicholas Mark Linton. I am a Specialist Fire Investigator for Fire and Emergency New
Zealand (Fire and Emergency).
I have served with the New Zealand Fire Service, now Fire and Emergency, since 2011. I am responsible
for determining the origin and cause of fires.
I have completed the following training courses:
Fire Investigation 1 in October of 2017.
Act
Fire Investigation 2 in May of 2018.
I have attained the following qualifications by examination:
Graduate of the Institute of Fire Engineers (GIFireE) in the following papers:
-
Fire Engineering Science
-
Fire Safety
-
Aviation Firefighting
-
Human Resources
I have completed the following modules through The International Asso Information
ciation of Arson Investigators (CFI
Training Modules):
-
Introduction to Evidence
-
Physical Evidence
-
Fatal Fires
I have the following memberships:
Official
Membership of the Institution of Fire Engin the
eers (Graduate).
I sit on the Auckland Council of the New Zealand Branch of the Institute of Fire Engineers and organize
several CPD events throughout the calendar year. I am also a Branch Councillor on the New Zealand
Branch of the Institute of Fire Engineers with the following assigned portfolios:
-
CPD events and Under
seminars within the wider Auckland region
-
Exploring how the IFE can become more diverse, particularly with disabilities
I have the following additional experience:
7 years’ front line firefighting experience.
Fluent in New Zealand Sign Language and a demonstrated history of working with people with disabilities
in a fire safety setting.
Released
I was appointed as a Fire and Emergency Inspector under Section 166 of the Fire and Emergency New
Zealand Act 2017 in May of 2018.
As a Specialist Fire Investigator for Fire and Emergency I am required to respond to significant fires in
accordance with Operational Instructions with the principal objectives being to co-ordinate, supervise or
undertake investigations into major and serious fires, including fatal fires, by determining the point of origin
of a fire and from this establishing the cause of a fire.
Fire Investigation Report
Page 4 of 30
I have read the Code of Conduct for Expert Witnesses, Schedule 4 of the High Court Rules 2016, and
agree to abide with them.
Act
Information
Official
the
Under
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 5 of 30
Executive summary
This report relates to a fire on 6 May 2021 at 8:17 p.m. in a supermarket aisle of the Countdown Henderson
Supermarket, Catherine Place, Henderson, Auckland.
Three fire appliances from Henderson and Te Atatu Fire Stations were dispatched to the incident. The
incident was escalated to a ‘3rd alarm’ level.
Multiple firefighting delivery hoses were used to extinguish the fire, in addition to a security guard usin Act
g an
internal hose reel and the approximately 17 sprinkler heads that operated.
Video footage obtained by the Police showed two persons walking in aisle number six immediately prior to
the fire occurring. One person approached the aisle shelving and held what appeared to be an ignition
source to one of the sections of the shelf. Shortly afterwards, flames were seen coming from the shelf.
The area of origin was aisle number six (6). The point of origin was the Information
second section into the aisle, and
the third shelf down from the top.
The cause of this fire is believed to be the deliberate ignition of combustibles via an introduced ignition
source, such as a match or a lighter.
Although I could not find the remains of such an ign Official
ition source, it is most likely that this was either added
and then removed or burnt by the resulting fire. In my opinion, this fire could not have started without
human involvement.
The classification of this fire has been liste the
d as incendiary.
Under
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 6 of 30
Terms of reference
Sponsor
– Area Manager, Waitemata.
Incident background
The Officer in Charge (OIC) of this incident considered the circumstances of the fire met the criteria
requiring the attendance of a Specialist Fire Investigator (SFI) as per National Commander’s Instruction P3.
The OIC made this request through the Fire and Emergency Communications Centre who summoned the
author of this report to attend the incident as a SFI.
The reason for the attendance of a SFI was: Suspicious Fire.
Objectives
Determine the origin and cause of the fire through best practice analysis and investigative processes.
Scope
Focus on this incident specifically, but consider historical data and information from this site and
other similar incidents, and other incident information that may have a bearing or contributed to the
outcome.
Analysis of the circumstances and factors, including the occupant(s) actions, building fire loading
and design, fire protection/suppression systems performance, circumstances of the fire, and result
of the fire.
Where evidence or suspicion of a deliberate fire start is discovered, the matter is to be referred to
the Police who will then have the responsibility for further investigation. The Police may request
that the Fire and Emergency SFI assist with the origin and cause determination.
Produce a completed report for the report sponsor outlining all relevant findings.
Under the Official Information Act
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 7 of 30
Description and use of building
This was a commercial building used as a mall complex. The area of the building involved in fire was
Countdown Henderson Supermarket, inside the mall itself.
The complex had an operational sprinkler system which subsequently activated once the heat level was
sufficient to activate the sprinkler heads.
Act
Information
Official
the
Under
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 8 of 30
Pre-incident events
I am not aware of any incidents in the lead up to this fire.
Act
Information
Official
the
Under
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 9 of 30
Discovery of fire
The fire was discovered by a member of the public who subsequently called 111. Approximately 17
sprinkler heads activated as a result of the fire. In addition to this, security guards at the complex used an
internal hose reel in an attempt to contain the fire. This was instrumental in containing the fire along with
firefighting deliveries from Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
Act
Information
Official
the
Under
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 10 of 30
Fire and Emergency New Zealand response
Information sourced from Fire and Emergency Computer Aided Despatch Incident Report.
Incident Number
F3237517
Call Type
STRU
Method call received
111 Telephone
Incident date
6 May 2021
Incident time
8:17:22 p.m. Act
1st Arrival
HEND657
8:21:03 p.m.
2nd Arrival
HEND651
8:25:33 p.m.
On 6 May 2021 at 8:17 p.m. a Fire and Emergency Communications Centre received a 111 call to a fire in
the supermarket aisle of Countdown Henderson at Catherine Place, Henderson, Auckland.
Three fire appliances from Henderson and Te Atatu Fire Stations were dInformation
ispatched to the
incident. Henderson 657 arrived in attendance first. Shortly after their arrival, Henderson 657 transmitted a
priority message requesting a ‘2nd Alarm’ attendance. This indicated to the Communications Centre and to
further responding appliances that there was a confirmed fire at the address. The incident escalated to a
3rd alarm level.
Multiple firefighting delivery hoses were used to extinOfficial
guish the fire.
A SFI was dispatched as the incident met t the
he National Commander's Instructions, P3: Fire Investigation
and Reporting.
I arrived at the scene on 6 May 2021 at 9:12 p.m. Due to the suspicious nature of the fire, the Police were
present at the scene. We agreed to meet back at the scene in the light of day to conduct a full scene
examination. The Police Under
provided scene guards overnight. I arrived back at the scene on 7 May 2021 at
8:12 a.m.
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 11 of 30
Process of investigation
Interviews
I interviewed the crew of the first responding fire appliance and the information provided informs this report.
I interviewed the Police at the scene and the information provided informs this report.
I interviewed the staff of Countdown Henderson Supermarket who were present at the time of the fire Act
and
the information provided informs this report.
Scene Examination
Information
Official
the
Under
Image 1: The layout of the supermarket. Schematic courtesy of the New Zealand Police.
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 12 of 30
Act
Information
Photo 1: The main entrance to the Countdown Henderson Supermarket.
A scene examination commenced at the main entran Official
ce to Countdown Henderson Supermarket in West
City mall. There were nil signs of smoke, heat or structural damage to the entrance.
the
Under
Released
Photo 2: One of the fire extinguishers found inside the entrance to Countdown Henderson Supermarket.
Fire Investigation Report
Page 13 of 30
Act
Information
Photo 3: A second fire extinguisher that was found inside the entrance to Countdown Henderson
Supe Official
rmarket.
the
Under
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 14 of 30
Photo 4: A third fire extinguisher that was found inside the entrance to Countdown Henderson
Supermarket.
Act
Information
Photo 5: A fourth fire extinguisher that was fouOfficial
nd inside the entrance to Countdown Henderson
Supermarket.
Inside the entrance to Countdown
Hende the
rson Supermarket several fire extinguishers were discovered out
of their housings indicating that they may have been used in an attempt to control the fire.
Under
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 15 of 30
Act
Information
Photo 6: Aisle number 1 looking towards the fruit, vegetable, deli and bakery departments.
Official
the
Under
Released
Photo 7: Aisle number 2.
Fire Investigation Report
Page 16 of 30
Act
Information
Photo 8: Aisle number 3.
Official
the
Under
Released
Photo 9: Aisle number 4.
Fire Investigation Report
Page 17 of 30
Act
Information
Official
Photo 10: Aisle number 8.
the
Under
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 18 of 30
Act
Information
Photo 11: Aisle number 9.
Official
the
Under
Released
Photo 12: Aisle number 10.
Fire Investigation Report
Page 19 of 30
Act
Information
Official
Photo 13: Aisle number 11.
the
Under
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 20 of 30
Act
Information
Photo 14: Aisle number 12.
Official
the
Under
Released
Photo 15: Aisle number 13.
Fire Investigation Report
Page 21 of 30
Act
Information
Official
Photo 16: Aisle number 14.
the
Under
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 22 of 30
Act
Information
Photo 17: The rear of the supermarket looking towards the dairy and meat departments.
Official
the
Under
Released
Photo 18: The rear of the supermarket looking towards the seafood department.
Fire Investigation Report
Page 23 of 30
Act
Information
Photo 19: The front of the supermarket looking towards the checkouts on the left of the photo.
Aisles 5, 6 and 7 were the only aisles that showed
Official
signs of smoke and heat damage. All other aisles
showed only water damage from a combination of the activation of the sprinkler system and firefighting
delivery hoses. See photos 6 through 19 f the
or the aisles showing only water damage.
Under
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 24 of 30
Act
Information
Photo 20: Aisle number 5 showing minor smoke and heat damage.
Official
the
Under
Released
Photo 21: Aisle number 7. The fire travel from aisle number 6 into aisle number 7 through the back of the
shelf is shown by the white arrow.
Aisle number 5 and aisle number 7 showed minor signs of smoke and heat damage. Fire patterns in aisle
Fire Investigation Report
Page 25 of 30
number 7 indicated that the fire had travelled from aisle number 6 into aisle number 7 through the back of
the shelf.
Act
Information
Photo 22: The section of the shelves that had the most damage in comparison to the other shelves.
Official
the
Under
Released
Photo 23: The section of the shelving units where the fire originated from. The shelf that the fire started on
is shown by the white circle.
Aisle number 6 showed signs of severe smoke and heat damage to the right-hand side of the aisle when
looking from the entrance. Video footage obtained by the Police showed two persons walking in this aisle
Fire Investigation Report
Page 26 of 30
immediately prior to the fire occurring. One person approached the aisle shelving and held what appeared
to be an ignition source to one of the sections of the shelf. Shortly afterwards, flames were seen coming
from the shelf. The burn patterns to this shelf support what can be seen on the footage obtained by the
Police.
I could not find any electrical items near the area where this fire started. I could not find any oily rags that
could have led to spontaneous combustion near the area where the fire started.
Act
Information
Official
the
Under
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 27 of 30
Area and point of origin
Area of Origin
The area of origin was aisle number six (6).
Point of Origin
The point of origin was the second section into the aisle, and the third shelf down from the top.
Act
Information
Official
the
Under
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 28 of 30
Conclusions
Supposed Cause
Based on the evidence available at the time of this investigation, the classification of this incident has been
recorded as Incendiary.
The cause of this fire is believed to be the deliberate ignition of combustibles via an introduced ignition Act
source (such as a match or a lighter). Although I could not find the remains of such an ignition source, it is
most likely that this was either added and then removed or burnt by the resulting fire.
In my opinion, this fire could not have started without human involvement.
Elimination of Other Possible Causes
There were no electrical sources near the point of origin.
I could not find the remains of any oily rags that could have led to spon Information
taneous combustion near the point
of origin.
Official
the
Under
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 29 of 30
Report approvals
Investigation and report completed by:
Investigator
Name: Nick Linton
Job Title: Specialist Fire Investigator
Date: 13 May 2021 02:25p.m.
I confirm the truth and accuracy of this statement. I make the statement with the knowledge that it is to be
used in court proceedings. I am aware that it is an offence to make a statement that is known by me to be
false or intended by me to mislead.
A technical review of this report has been completed by:
Name:
Job Title: Senior Specialist Fire Investigator
Date: 16 June 2021 09:14a.m.
This report has been approved by:
Name:
Job Title: Area Manage Under the Official Information Act
r, Waitemata
Date: 16 June 2021 11:16a.m.
Released
Fire Investigation Report
Page 30 of 30
Appendix 1: Witness Details
Removed in compliance with the Privacy Act 1993 and the Official Information Act 1982
Act
Information
Official
the
Under
Released
