A historic ship is being demolished after an early morning fire by the Waitangi Bridge in Paihia.
The Tui is a three-masted sailing ship that has been a feature of the Waitangi waterfront since the late Kelly Tarlton bought the historic vessel and used it to house his finds from a lifetime of exploring shipwrecks.
It has recently changed ownership and Kerikeri-based TriOceans marine research institute had started restoring the vessel for use as a community space and marine education facility.
Fire investigator Craig Bain said demolishing the ship was the only way to completely put out the fire.
Crews were racing to finish the job before the incoming tide swept the debris out to sea.
The fire started at the rear of the ship and spread quickly in strong winds, he said.
Fire and Emergency say the blaze is suspicious. Photo: Supplied / Derek Gerritsen
Earlier, Fire and Emergency's Mitchell Brown said it was "a significant loss of history to the community".
Six fire crews from Paihia, Kerikeri, Kawakawa and Whangārei responded to the blaze, which started about 4am.
Fire and Emergency believe the fire to be suspicious and police are investigating.
Roads directly surrounding the fire are closed.
The Tui. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Daughter of Kelly Tarlton, Fiona Tarlton, said the news was devastating.
"I'm in a flood of tears," she said on Facebook.
"Although we sold the Tui at Waitangi 24 years ago, she recently was purchased by TriOceans and was being renovated by local builders, being a Marine Learning Centre.
"My family owned her for 33 years, turning the barque into Kelly Tarlton's Museum of Shipwrecks. Before we ever owned a house we owned this historical ship...essentially my first home. So many memories up in flames."
A witness told Morning Report the ship had been let go in the past few years and it was a bit of an eyesore but the community had good news when it had been sold.
"I think they'd delivered $15,000 worth of materials in there yesterday and now she's gone up in flames."
The Tui engulfed in flames. Photo: Supplied / Derek Gerritsen
Derek Gerritsen from Big Fish Bay of Island said the top deck was on fire and the whole back of the ship was burnt out when he was at the scene.
"She's fully engulfed in flames," he said.
"I don't think there'll be much left of it."
There were already rumours going around the community about the suspicious nature of the fire, he said.
No one was on board the ship overnight.
"The fire is generating some smoke around Paihia and Waitangi and people are advised to avoid the area and keep windows shut," Fire and Emergency says.
It was not yet known how the fire started.
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