The building contained a good deal of equipment, including a $1M Lidar scanner that was used to map New Zealand quake damage. The instrument was being packaged for shipment to Japan, and was lost in the blaze.

Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the main two-story building, while saving annexes. All but one of the injured firefighters has been released, and the remaining firefighter underwent non-emergency surgery on his knee.

The New Zealand office employs 240 staff in land surveying, information technology and geospatial technology. As part of a large global organisation, there should be little impact on business. The US parent company has committed to rebuilding in Christchurch.

It’s tough to hear about this news, particularly in light of the free work that the company was doing to help the country recover from the recent disasters. For many employees, the loss of their workplace shortly follows the loss of their home.

There is coverage of the fire via TVNZ in this video and news summary.