Nine To Noon Asbestos fears after fire shut Palmerston North schools
Oct 30, 2025
Hayden Robinson, Senior Station Officer at the Palmerston North Fire Service, managed the response to a blazing fire at the Fitz building. He discusses the rapid spread of the fire and the immediate asbestos concerns that led to school closures. Hamish Ruawhai, Principal of Palmerston North Intermediate School, shares the school's decision-making process and the role of social media in keeping the community informed. They emphasize health safety, the importance of public alerts, and how older buildings are often treated as potentially containing asbestos.
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Boarded Building Went Up Fast
- Hayden described the Fitz building as boarded up and allocated for demolition before it caught fire and spread quickly.
- He said drones and a specialist investigator were used to map and assess the scene overnight.
Alerts Can Trigger Chain Reactions
- Hayden said the EMA alert aimed to warn only those in the immediate vicinity to shut windows and doors.
- He noted the alert created wider anxiety and a chain reaction of precautionary closures.
Suppress Ash And Contact Health NZ
- Hayden advised people with ash to hose it down to suppress airborne particles.
- He directed people with health concerns to contact Health New Zealand for specific guidance.