Hawke packaging hotspot flares back

STAFF REPORTERS | Wednesday, February 8, 2012 15:33

HBT120524-08.JPG Massive fire at Hawk Packaging in Mahora, Hastings. Firefighters came from as far away as Palmerston North. Pictured between 0100 and 0430 hours. Photographer: Paul Taylor

Hawke's Bay Inferno 17 January 2012

The massive fire at Hawk Packaging in Hastings required fire appliances from as far afield as Palmerston North. Area Commander Chris Nicoll said the fire was a struggle to contain. "You don't get any bigger," he said. The fire broke out around 9pm on Tuesday night, sending smoke billowing into the sky and flames leaping "at least" 20 metres into the air.

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Firefighters were called back to Hawk Packaging on Monday morning, three weeks after a large blaze destroyed their Hastings premises.

Two fire appliances spent 1 hours dampening down a hotspot in partially burnt packaging trays.

A fire service spokesperson said it was "quite normal" to have these occur deep amongst previously burnt material. He said there was still a large amount of burnt product on site, yet to be shifted off.

It was the first time they had been called back since last month's fire, described by firemen as one of the fiercest they've ever fought. It destroyed the packhouse, damaged nearby properties, melted car tyres and left ash on homes kilometres from the scene.

Fire appliances from as far afield as Palmerston North had been called out and 90 firefighters fought the blaze, which threatened available water supplies to fight it.