The Raglan community is slowly coming to grips with Tuesday’s devastating fire that destroyed much of the town’s wharf buildings and businesses. At the same time offers of help are coming in for those affected. Tony Sly, whose pottery studio was destroyed in the blaze, has had three local offers of alternative premises. The Raglan Community Arts Council offered use of its pottery and equipment to help Tony Sly get started right away. Offers of replacement kilns have come from Hamilton, Palmerston North and the South Island as New Zealand’s ceramic artists give their support for Tony to get going again.
Candide and Stephen Reid, owners of Raglan Kayak have decided to continue with their NZ winter holiday and head to Montreal in a few weeks. So Raglan Kayak’s winter close-down has been forced on them a few weeks earlier than normal. On their return they will restart Raglan Kayak for the Raglan summer season.
Other support plans are emerging from the community. Insurance investigators have now arrived and are interviewing those affected. Initally the Fire Service announced that the direct cause of the fire was an overheating fridge motor in a display cabinet in the premises of Raglan Seafoods. However, investigators are now saying that the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
While access to the wharf is still closed, the adjacent launching ramp is open. Kayak hire is available from Raglan Waterfront Backpackers at 6 Wi Neera St.