Nissan Leaf not blamed for fire

A Papamoa fire shortly before 6am on April 12 included a garage and an “electric car”, says a Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson.

The owner told the Bay of Plenty Times/NZ Herald he had two cars in the garage – a Nissan Leaf and a petrol-powered Mazda – blaming the Mazda’s brakes for starting the fire which destroyed the cars and damaged the double garage which was separate from the house.

A fire appliance from Papamoa and another from Mount Maunganui carrying about eight firefighters in total attended, while a fire investigator was also requested.

Fire and Emergency left the incident in the owner’s hands at about 7.58am, says the spokesperson, adding that few other details were available at the time.

The fire investigator has now confirmed to Fire and Emergency the fire cause was a fault with the petrol car in the garage.

The Papamoa man told the Bay of Plenty Times he recalled a smell like burning brakes that night and had unplugged any chargers.

He says he has since contacted his insurance company.