14/01/2026
There’s been a lot of blame directed at the firefighters following the fire at Pita House.
What’s often overlooked is that many commercial kitchen fires are preventable. Regular cleaning and proper maintenance of range hoods and ducting are critical when it comes to fire safety and compliance.
According to the store owner and official reports, the fire at Pita House in Pakuranga on January 9, 2026, started in the range hood of an oven.
To our firefighters — thank you for the work you do under incredibly tough conditions. We support you 100% and appreciate everything you put on the line for our communities 👨🚒🔥
This is an important reminder to all food businesses: keeping your extraction systems clean and compliant isn’t just about paperwork — it’s about safety.