BETHANY MARETT
© Timaru Herald

A burglar alarm at the Timaru Yacht and Powerboat Club warded off a different kind of unwelcome entrant yesterday morning.

The activation of the alarm, caused from burning wires, saved the building from a potentially serious fire.

The Timaru Fire Service was called to the scene about 6.25am with two appliances attending from Timaru and one from Washdyke.

Station officer Trevor Karton said it appeared the electrical wire actually burnt through to the burglar alarm, activating it.

The alarm alerted a member of the club, who phoned port security who then sent a person to check the premises where they spotted the fire and contacted emergency services.

Mr Karton said the fire had started in the wall, extended up into the ceiling cavity and was starting to spread when they arrived.

While the fire damage was minimal there was extensive smoke damage and Mr Karton said it was enough to be a real nuisance.

The fire was put out relatively quickly but firemen were on scene for about three hours.

Electricians were yesterday at work in the building and the club is still going to hold its annual prizegiving this weekend.