Staff devastated after fire destroys plastics factory

The owner of a West Auckland plastics factory was destroyed by a blaze on Tuesday night said he was numb as he surveyed all that remains of his business.

Nearly 100 firefighters fought the blaze overnight, which began about 10pm on Tuesday at Total Plastics in Henderson.

‘‘I’m still numb. First priority is looking after the staff, luckily noone was hurt. Next priority is customers – this affects their businesses too, no-one holds stock any more. This fire affects a whole lot of people down the line,’’ said Total Plastics managing director Tony King. He hugged sobbing employees at the site yesterday.

‘‘I have no idea how it started, none. The fire service said it started in the bottom corner of the building, but there are only unused toilets there.

‘‘We’ve never had problems before, except tagging, and that’s just a sign of the times.

‘‘It’s too early to say what will happen with workers’ jobs – but they will be paid today. ‘‘We’re fully insured,’’ he said. ‘‘It was a huge shock waking up to the news – I need to take it all in.’’

He said he had spoken with the building’s owner, who was also ‘‘devastated’’.

The building had no fire alarms and no sprinklers.

Residents in the area were advised to close windows and doors due to the thick, putrid smoke.

Fire service northern communications shift manager Jaron Phillips confirmed the fire was being treated as suspicious.

Police were helping the fire service determine whether it was deliberately lit.