A minor fire at a missionary couple’s rental, caused by an improperly installed LPG water heater, was quickly extinguished by neighbours thanks to a young boy’s alert action.

A minor fire broke out at a rental property in Takuvaine Valley on Sunday night between 9pm and 10pm. The house is occupied by missionaries, Elder and Sister Booth.

Airport Authority Rescue Fire Services manager George Nicholls attended the scene. No one was hurt, and the fire was put out by the couple’s neighbours.

“The couple was still awake and could smell smoke, something burnt. They kept looking outside to see if the neighbours were burning rubbish.”

Nicolls says a boy from Avatiu was riding by and spotted the flames.

“He saw it from the front of the house. He called out to the occupants to get out.”

The cause of the fire was an LPG water heating system attached to a timber wall.

“Every time it’s turned on, the heat from the water in the convection current will rise to the top, in this case, the top area of the box, which was right next to the wall. There were signs of scorching, which means that the timber has absorbed heat for some time.”

Pyrolysis is the absorption of a large amount of heat by a porous combustible material like timber, resulting in decomposition and releasing flammable gases.

“When that happens, it means it got to a degree where the heat is sufficient enough that the material will burn itself without any ignition source.”

Nicholls says the fire service has attended several emergencies of this type, and warns the community to check their LPG hot water installations.

“The problem with the LPG system is it was put on the wall, and the wall is timber. It was made of Shadowclad (plywood).”

He warns those with the same system to attach their unit to a fireproof material like fibrolite or concrete.

After a fire of this kind, it’s important to dig into the timber to wet it down and ensure the fire won’t reignite.

Myna birds also add to the issue of fires by LPG water heaters, says Nicholls.

“They love to go into these holes that are warm. They put rubbish and twigs inside to build their nest.”

The nests make it even more likely for the wall to catch fire.

Nicholls says netting can be used to keep the birds away but it’s recommended to relocate the unit to a fire safe wall.

The boy who saw the fire left the scene before Airport Authority Rescue Fire Services could interview him for reporting purposes. Nicholls calls on the young man to contact the fire service on 25890.