A usually dim Saturday morning on Lyall Parade was illuminated by the flashing lights of emergency vehicles and flames spilling out of the second storey of the surf club. The six fire engines that tended to the blaze successfully prevented the heritage building from being razed to the ground.

Inspecting fire safety officers surmised that the fire originated from an electrical fault on the first floor. The blaze quickly spread to the upper level of the building where the Maranui Café is located.

Although much of the exterior was saved, the extensive fire and smoke damage destroyed the interior of the building to the extent that the floor in some areas of the café had collapsed and salvage of any items was impossible.

Memorabilia and records of previous membership in the surf club were also lost in the fire. With the club's centennial celebrations so close; the loss of irreplaceable photos and the minutes from the very first committee meeting in 1911 is considered to be a huge blow by the club's members.

In the wake of the incident, the community showed an unprecedented amount of support for the damaged club rooms and its displaced staff.

Café L'affare opened on a Sunday for the first time in 14 years and donated all the takings to the Maranui Cafe to help the jobless staff transition into other employment.

Fundraising also took the form of Café staff selling salads at Moore Wilsons and T-shirts through Havana Coffee Works.

The Wellington City Council held a public meeting in order to determine the fate of the club. Proposals to bulldoze the building and put up a 'super structure' or anything of the like were unanimously rejected by a crowd of fans that was devoted to seeing the Maranui club rooms rebuilt and its Café restored.

The often emotional debate was concluded when the council voted in favour of a deal in which the heritage building was gifted to the Maranui Surf Club. $350,000 of ratepayer's money was also dedicated towards the repairs.

A working bee was held to strip back the damaged wood and clear away the debris to make way for renovations to start. The aim of the refurbishing is to save as much of the old building as possible and to rebuild it as it was. Thanks to the overwhelming support of the community, the club will be ready well in advance of its centennial in 2011.

Photo gallery coming soon...

Written by Gabe Middleton