Fire at asbestos-filled Palmerston North bar 'suspicious'

A blaze at an old asbestos-filled pub that closed several schools around Palmerston North has been deemed suspicious.

Residents said strong winds spread thick smoke from the fire at the once popular Fitzherbert Bar in the central city.

Ten fire trucks were called to the fire which happened at 5.15pm on Thursday night.

Local Karyn Formby said the fire grew fast and people crowded the busy street as the well known drinking den went up in flames.

"It just got big very, very fast. Really black smoke - flames were way on top of the roof - and it was really chaotic. People were just - at that point - everywhere," Formby said.

Police deem fire suspicious

On Friday police confirmed the fire had been deemed suspicious and investigators were examining the scene.

The building had sat unused for nearly 17 years and notices about the site warned of the possible presence of asbestos.

On the streets of Palmerston North locals said it was no surprise the building was destroyed.

"It should've been taken down a long, long time ago. You've got homeless living there, all sorts going there, having parties, doing their drug things. It wasn't safe," one local said.

FENZ issue alert warning

As the fire was being fought, Fire and Emergency texted an alert warning locals to stay indoors, turn off air conditioning and keep windows closed.

Palmerston North station senior officer Hayden Robinson said the emergency alert allowed rapid communication of any risk to the community.

"It just makes life a lot easier and it means - instead of knocking on a thousand odd doors - you can get put that message out as quick as possible. So it's a very effective tool that we use," Robinson said.

Schools close over safety concerns

Robinson said the alert and a large number of social media posts may have added to the community's concerns.

"Obviously Palmerston North Intermediate school are very close by so they closed. But we've been fielding calls from places nowhere near the building - completely in the wrong wind direction - wanting to close as well. One school closed and it's almost like a chain effect," Robinson said.

This Friday, Monrad Intermediate, Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School and College Street Normal School closed their doors because of the fire.

Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School was near the pub, and principal Hamish Ruawai said they erred on the side of safety.

"When you've got smoke and you've got so many videos and stuff going on it certainly heightened our community. We had a lot of parents ringing in overnight concerned about that. To be fair, it was easy for us to close," Ruawai said.

He said they were getting some professionals in to check the school was free from asbestos contamination.

"We've got a team coming in from HazMat to come and do a bit of a check with us - and I think the other schools are going to be using them as well - just to make sure that we're nice and safe to open again," Ruawai said.

Hayden Robinson said people who were concerned about any potential contamination should contact Health New Zealand for advice.

Health New Zealand Mid Central medical officer of health Dr Rob Weir said - while asbestos was suspected to be in the building - the agency was awaiting test results to confirm its presence at the site.

"Health effects from asbestos released during fires are generally considered low risk. However, as a precaution, people in nearby areas are advised to take care around any ash or debris that may have settled on their properties," Weir said.

He said - where ash or debris had landed - people should consider wearing a face mask in windy conditions, remove footwear before entering premises and keep children away from the debris.

People experiencing shortness of breath, wheezing, asthma symptoms, or chest pain following the fire should consult their doctor immediately, he said.

Weir said Health NZ would provide updates - via Fire and Emergency - as soon as test results were returned.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.