Asbestos warning after building fire

Asbestos has been found at the scene of a fire in central Wellington that engulfed and destroyed a two-storey commercial building.

A Wellington City Council spokeswoman said that, ‘‘given the fire was so large and there are strong winds’’, public health officers advised residents around the Wigan St building to avoid dust and to wash their cars with a bucket of water, due to the presence of the ‘‘hazardous material’’.

‘‘Residents in the area are not to touch anything, or shake anything with dust on it.’’

She said the council and Greater Wellington Regional Council were attempting to make contact with the owner of the damaged building, which housed photo imaging company INK Digi- tal, and the adjoining Zaida’s bakery. Both buildings may have to be pulled down.

Street cleaners have also been told they cannot clean the area until the asbestos has been removed.

Fire investigators are working to find a cause for the inferno, which broke out about 1.30am yesterday.

Wellington fire station officer David Miller said crews had dampened the asbestos to ensure it did not become airborne before the material was cleared from the area.

A fire service spokesman said investigations were not complete, but there had been no reports at this stage of the blaze being suspicious.

Firefighters worked for about an hour to get the blaze under control.