Courthouse evacuated for fire callout

Dunedin’s courthouse was evacuated yesterday after the smell of burning plastic sparked an emergency callout.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said four fire appliances were sent to the Stuart St building in response to an alarm activation about 11.30am.

There was a smell of burning plastic but no visible fire, and firefighters were investigating further, she said.

That investigation eventually found the source of the smell was an overheated motor in a vent, she said.