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ASHBURTON
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CUP NEWS Wednesday, Nov 12, 2014
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Overcrowding fire, health risk BY SUSAN SANDYS
SUSAN.S@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ
A lack of affordable housing in Ashburton is encouraging crowded living conditions, posing fire and health risks. Ashburton firefighters are seeing more cases of people living in garages, and the Salvation Army is calling for the government to include smaller towns such as Ashburton in any moves to increase lowcost housing supplies. Concerns have been raised following a man almost being burned alive as he slept in a garage at a Housing New Zealand home at Netherby on Sunday. However, Housing New Zealand is satisfied the residence, where one woman with three children are listed as tenants, was not permanently overcrowded. New Zealand Fire Service fire investigator and Ashburton firefighter Murray Cairns said brigade members were now always on alert when called to garage fires. “It’s a real risk nowadays, people living in garages,” Mr Cairns said. The brigade attended the Netherby blaze, and Mr Cairns said while the tenants said the garage was used for only overnight visitors, it appeared it was being used as more permanent accommodation. Mr Cairns said it followed another residential fire at a Turton Street address earlier this year, where the garage had been converted into a bedroom. In that case 12
P5, P19
extended family members escaped from the burning building. Other blazes in recent years included a fire at a Tinwald home where there was at least nine people living. Garages could go up in flames quicker than homes due to their structure, and often did not have smoke alarms. And in an overcrowded home, it could be more difficult for everyone to get out safely. Salvation Army community ministries manager Judith Lilley said there were growing numbers of larger families living in the town. And with larger rental properties being expensive and in high demand, it often made sense for more than one family to share accommodation. In such situations it was not only fire risk which was a concern, but also sanitation and health. It was a New Zealand wide issue, and Mrs Lilley wanted the government to ensure towns such as Ashburton were included in any cheaper housing initiatives. Housing New Zealand area manager Kate Milton said there was one tenant listed on the tenancy agreement at the Netherby property, and she had three children living with her at the three-bedroom house. “Tenants will often have friends and family stay with them from time to time, which is perfectly acceptable, however anyone who permanently resides in the property is required to be listed on the tenancy agreement,” Ms Milton said.
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