Well known Christchurch identity the Wizard and his partner Alice are safe and uninjured after a fire swept through their house in the early hours of this morning.
The couple, the Wizard of New Zealand-Ian Brackenbury Channell and Alice, and two other occupants of the McFaddens Road house escaped when fire was alerted about 3.20am.
Sergeant Tony TULLY of the Papanui Police says that the fire is being treated as suspicious and Police, Fire Safety officers and forensics scientists are working together at the scene.
Assistant Fire Region Commander Mark CHUBB, Fire Service, says that the house is very heavily damaged.
"The couple and residents of a ground floor flat were awakened to the fire shortly after 3.00am. All four escaped without injury," he says.
Firefighters responding from four Christchurch engines took about 35 minutes to bring the fire under control. By the time the fire was extinguished, it had extended through both floors of the large, timber-frame dwelling.
"We are working with insurance assessors to try to salvage their very extensive collection of books," he says.
Efforts to salvage the Wizard's extensive collection of books and other artefacts will begin this afternoon.
Sergeant TULLY asks that anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the Cranford Street / Jamieson’s Ave/ McFaddens Road area after 3am, to please contact Papanui Police.
3.30pm Message from the Wizard:
The Wizard has asked me to pass on that both he and Alice are all right, they have come to no harm but are shocked at what has happened. Their house and belongings are destroyed but they want to thank everyone for their kindness, - the Police, Fire service, the Mayor and council and especially all their neighbours and friends.
They have been left with only what they stand up in, their night attire, and neighbours were a great help and gave them clothes.
"We are thrilled at the good feeling we’ve got from everyone," he says. "It was a mysterious occurrence, we don’t know what."
The couple were insured.
Well known Christchurch identity the Wizard and his partner Alice are safe and uninjured after a fire swept through their house in the early hours of this morning. The couple and two residents of a ground floor flat of the McFaddens Road house escaped without injury when fire was alerted about 3.20am.
Two cars at the scene, including the Wizard’s VW `Wizard mobile’, were damaged and have been taken to Christchurch Central for further examination.
It hoped to start getting books out of the scene this afternoon to start any preservation. Sergeant Tony TULLY of the Papanui Police says that the investigation is in the very early stages and the scene examination will not be completed today. There will be scene guards at the address tonight.
Police, Fire Safety officers and forensics scientists have worked at the scene all day however say it is too early speculate on a cause.