5 Nov 2013

Another fire in Cook Islands razes bakery and cafe

10:53 am on 5 November 2013

The Rarotongan community in the Cook Islands is reeling from another fire this time to one of the island's oldest bakeries and an adjoining cafe.

The Cook Islands News reports the blaze destroyed Turoa Bakery and Saltwater Cafe in Vaimaanga early on Saturday.

The latest blaze follows two fires which destroyed classrooms at two separate schools last month.

The Rescue Fire Service chief, Nga Jessie, says the latest fire posed serious risk to fire fighters.

The intense flames burned the cafe and bakery to the ground and also burned out a bread delivery van parked nearby.

Firefighters also had to deal with overhead power lines that snapped due to the heat of the fire.

Nga Jessie says a full assessment is yet to be completed and authorities are still unsure how the fire started.