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Source: ONE News -
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A symbolic torch at a 10-day sport tournament in Dunedin was prematurely extinguished overnight following reports there was a fire inside the Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Firefighters were called to the stadium about 12.20am when a concerned resident reported seeing what appeared to be a blaze, unaware it was the New Zealand Masters Games torch.
In the same tradition as the Olympics, the 50cm-high Masters flame was to burn for the duration of the games.
Manager Aaron Joy said the security guard was perplexed by the arrival of police and two fire engines, and everyone agreed to extinguish the flame until morning.
However, Dunedin Fire Station senior station officer Lindsay Rae could not confirm firefighters extinguished the fire.
"I'm not sure what was done with the flame, all I know is that they attended the call," he said.
"If they did extinguish it, it could have been because they expected to get more calls because of it."
Joy said he was not "impressed" the torch was no longer burning this morning.
"Traditionally we like to keep it going, so from that perspective it was a bit annoying, but you can't do anything about it," he said.
"I've had to deal with some tricky situations in my time but having the symbolic life of the Games snuffed out prematurely is not one I ever anticipated. I don't think it's ever happened at the Olympics."
Joy wanted to assure the public the gas fuelled flame was housed in fire proof surrounds and met all safety specifications.
The torch has been reignited this morning and will continue to burn until Sunday.
The NZ Masters Games is New Zealand's largest sporting event, with more than 6000 competitors registered in one or more of the 70 different sport categories.
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