Source: Radio New Zealand
The scene of the fire around 4am on Wednesday. Facebook / Palmerston North Fire Brigade
Firefighters are still battling a blaze at a large distribution warehouse in the central North Island.
The fire in Milson, Palmerston North was first reported at 6.32pm on Tuesday.
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said the first crew was on the scene by 6.39pm and found the building “well ablaze”.
Everyone was safely evacuated from the building, the spokesperson said.
Facebook / Palmerston North Fire Brigade
More than a dozen crews have been working through the night to bring the blaze under control, with resources being pulled in from Wellington.
“Twelve fire appliances and about seven support vehicles from the Manawatū area are attending. Further fire trucks from Whanganui, Paraparaumu and Porirua are also attending.”
The fire was now “largely contained”.
“It’s too early to determine a cause of the fire, however a fire investigator is in attendance,” the spokesperson said.
In an update on social media at 4am on Wednesday, the Palmerston North Fire Brigade said the fire was proving hard to control.
It said “high fuel loading of various types, large industrial shelving and the type of building construction making it difficult to reach the main areas of fire”.
It asked people to avoid the area during their morning commute, saying JFK Drive would be shut for some time between Rangitikei Line and Fairs Road in both directions.
“Reminder if you’re down wind of smoke to shut your windows and leave air conditioning off and if you feel at danger to please call 111.”
The scene of the fire last night. Facebook / Palmerston North Fire Brigade
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
