Gutted factory unsafe to enter
Safety concerns are hindering police investigations into a blaze that destroyed a Henderson plastics factory on Tuesday.
Police and fire crews are investigating the cause of the fire and whether it was deliberately lit.
Waitakere Detective Sergeant Ashley Matthews said officers and firefighters had not been able to enter the building because it was too unsafe. It is expected to be days before they can enter.
The investigation could take “some time” and the findings were unlikely to be released for several days, Matthews said.
The owner of the factory says he does not know what the blaze means for his business, but has urged his distraught staff to “stay strong”.
Total Plastics owner Tony King said he did not know about the fire until yesterday morning. “I don’t know what to say, to be honest. I’m still numb.” He was insured but wasn’t sure what the fire meant for his business.
He arrived at the scene, where he hugged some of his eight staff. “They are very upset, understandably. I’m just making sure they get paid this morning. I’ve sent them home and told them to stay strong and I’ll keep them posted on what the next stage is.”
King did not know the cause of the fire but had been told it started in a back corner.
Waitemata Fire Area investigator Chris Lewis said the blaze, which destroyed two businesses, would have been less serious if the building had an alarm and sprinkler. “If they’d had a sprinkler system it would have kept it smaller until we got here and then we could’ve boosted it. It would’ve kept it to a smaller portion of the building.” The fire broke out just after 10pm on Tuesday. Residents reported hearing explosions and seeing fireballs 60m in the air.
The blaze posed dangers for firefighters, like fallen powerlines, explosive debris, contaminated water runoff, smoke and chemicals.
Residents were advised to keep windows and doors shut after fears toxic chemicals were in smoke plumes.