A small fire which prompted the evacuation of Otago Polytechnic students this afternoon was caused by a chopping board that was left on an oven.
Fire and Emergency Southern shift manager Blair Walklin said crews were alerted to an alarm at the Otago Polytechnic Student Village in Union St East shortly before 2pm.
A second alarm was activated shortly afterwards.
Mr Walklin said crews found a room filled with smoke from what was believed to be a small oven fire.
Fire crews at the scene. Photo: Oscar Francis
Tertiary pupils were evacuated from the building and were seen standing in festive Saint Patrick’s Day attire outside the premises.
The fire had been extinguished and crews were starting a clean-up, he said.
Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said the fire was caused by a chopping board being left on the oven.
