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Caroline Williams Reporter from North Shore Times
Victoria Short smelt smoke in her home, but couldn’t find any fire.
Unbeknownst to her, a book in her daughter’s bedroom had been smouldering away as she worked from another room.
After several checks of the house offered no hints to where the smoke was coming from, Short continued work, … View moreVictoria Short smelt smoke in her home, but couldn’t find any fire.
Unbeknownst to her, a book in her daughter’s bedroom had been smouldering away as she worked from another room.
After several checks of the house offered no hints to where the smoke was coming from, Short continued work, oblivious to the fact the pages of 11-year-old Annalina’s favourite book, Code Name Bananas, were slowly becoming ash.
Annalina, who has a penchant for make-up, was gifted a dinner plate-sized desk mirror for Christmas, which had been sitting on her bookshelf beside a window ever since.
When Annalina arrived home from school, she noticed the book was burnt through its spine and halfway through the pages.
“It just didn’t make sense,” said Short, who is the deputy chair of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board.
Upon further investigation, Short realised Annalina’s mirror was facing the bookshelf.
“The sunlight seems to have come through the window, hit the concave mirror, and perfectly reflected the magnified sunlight onto the corner of the book.”
Short said the incident made her feel sick to her stomach, adding that she felt lucky the book, and the rest of the bookshelf, didn't catch fire.
“I would never have imagined a mirror could have the potential to burn our house down, never in my wildest dreams. It’s just one of those things you never think twice about.”
After posting about the incident on Facebook, Short has heard of other people who have witnesses similar incidents, including someone who had left a drink bottle in their car which reflected the sun and burnt the seat.
The incident has “triggered a level of anxiety” for Short, who is now concerned about other reflective objects in her home, including a glass table.
She has used the incident as an opportunity to check her smoke alarms are in working order, while Annalina has found a new place to keep her mirror – in her wardrobe.
Fire and Emergency NZ national advisor for fire risk management Peter Gallagher said mirrors, glasses, ornaments and plastic water bottles can reflect and focus the sun’s rays and become a fire danger.
Fires caused by this were rare, however people should consider moving flammable items away or cover any reflective surfaces.
Has something similar happened to you? Email me at caroline.williams@stuff.co.nz
Caroline Williams Reporter from North Shore Times
Ferry services from Te Onewa Northcote Point Wharf have been suspended only a week after they restarted, following an on-board incident which saw a crew member injured.
On Thursday, February 4 the wharf was opened with a blessing from Ngāti Whātua, with ferry sailing commencing shortly after. … View moreFerry services from Te Onewa Northcote Point Wharf have been suspended only a week after they restarted, following an on-board incident which saw a crew member injured.
On Thursday, February 4 the wharf was opened with a blessing from Ngāti Whātua, with ferry sailing commencing shortly after. Prior to this, the wharf had been closed since June 2018 for a $2.6m upgrade.
However, a crew member was injured during an on-board incident this week, highlighting the need for additional engineering work to improve safety on vessels during berthing.
As a result of the incident, ferry services have been temporarily suspended. It is not yet known when they can re-commence, again.
Caroline Williams Reporter from North Shore Times
Hi neighbours, ferry services from Northcote Point are relaunching, more than two and a half years after the wharf was closed for an upgrade.
The 60-year-old Northcote Point wharf was temporarily closed for health and safety reasons in June 2018 after routine maintenance revealed wooden structural… View moreHi neighbours, ferry services from Northcote Point are relaunching, more than two and a half years after the wharf was closed for an upgrade.
The 60-year-old Northcote Point wharf was temporarily closed for health and safety reasons in June 2018 after routine maintenance revealed wooden structural pieces of the wharf had deteriorated.
The wharf was due to reopen on January 25 – a year later than originally planned – but its reopening ceremony was postponed due to the new Covid case in Northland. Ferry sailings were also delayed due to adverse weather and supplier delays.
Following a blessing by Ngāti Whātua on Thursday morning, ferry services resumed and will run between the CBD’s Downtown Ferry Terminal, Northcote and Birkenhead and back to the city again between 6.25am and 11pm, Monday to Friday, with a less frequent timetable at weekends.
Caroline Williams Reporter from North Shore Times
Hi neighbours, a wee kitten stuck down a drain was rescued thanks to efforts by the SPCA and firefighters last week. It took more than three hours to retrieve the 7-week-old kitten from the drain, which proved tricky to access due to it sloping beneath the curb. Firefighters couldn't get into … View moreHi neighbours, a wee kitten stuck down a drain was rescued thanks to efforts by the SPCA and firefighters last week. It took more than three hours to retrieve the 7-week-old kitten from the drain, which proved tricky to access due to it sloping beneath the curb. Firefighters couldn't get into the drain, so had to create a platform for the kitten, which was eventually coaxed out with some food. The male kitten is now being cared for by the SPCA where he will be desexed and put up for adoption.
Have you heard of any dramatic animal rescues near you recently? Email me at caroline.williams@stuff.co.nz
Caroline Williams Reporter from North Shore Times
In North Shore teenager Kirill Koninin’s bedroom is a stack of empty shoe boxes.
The 17-year-old BMX rider and skateboarder would wear through his shoes “like fire”, father Vladimir Koninin said, following Kirill’s death on Christmas Eve.
On December 23, Kirill fell from his bike at a … View moreIn North Shore teenager Kirill Koninin’s bedroom is a stack of empty shoe boxes.
The 17-year-old BMX rider and skateboarder would wear through his shoes “like fire”, father Vladimir Koninin said, following Kirill’s death on Christmas Eve.
On December 23, Kirill fell from his bike at a skatepark in Albany, suffering a head injury. Doctors at Auckland City Hospital later told Vladimir and mother Oxana Koninina that their son’s brain surgery had been unsuccessful, and the heartbreaking decision was made to turn off his life support the next day.
The family are hoping to dedicate a bench to Kirill at the park, in an effort to persuade others to wear helmets.
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