Smoke pouring from a controversial coal storage shed at the Port of Tauranga sparked a major emergency call-out early today.
Firefighters from Mount Maunganui, Tauranga and Greerton converged on the massive shed on Totara St about 4.30am after workers spotted smoke billowing from the smaller of two coal piles.
The shed is
a joint venture between the port and Genesis Power, which is leasing the 8200 square metre storage facility for its coal imports.
This morning coal-shed workers using front-end loaders broke up the coal pile, allowing firefighters to hose water over the smouldering coal.
Mount Maunganui station officer Lindsay Nicols said there were obvious signs of combustion, which was a problem associated with storing coal in large quantities.
"Firefighters are trained to deal with anything and are familiar with the hazards with storing coal," Mr Nicols said. "As the pile is being broken up, water is being used to extinguish any flash-fires."
As the Bay of Plenty Times went to press today, firefighters were on standby to ensure there were no flare-ups during the day.
The pile causing the problems was estimated to weigh about 1000 tonnes. Officials from the port and the coal shed were unable to be contacted for comment today.
Nearby Tawa St residents were shocked - but many were not surprised to learn of the incident and said it added to their worries about the coal storage shed.
Resident Paula Bell said it was a real concern.
"We had our doubts about the fine dust and after this it has grown," Ms Bell said. "Plus it's unsafe for the people who work in that area."
However, another elderly resident, who did not wish to be named, said if people lived near the port they had to expect things like the smoking coal to happen.
The $25 million coal shed was opened on December 4 last year.
Controversy has surrounded the shed during its construction and has antagonised some neighbours and drawn flak from politicians.
It struck controversy early on when residents, particularly along Oceanview Rd ridge, realised the shed blocked part of their view of the harbour and Kaimai range.
Tauranga City Council officers had given the port permission to build the shed five metres higher than the 20m allowed under planning rules.
Politicians say the resource consent application should have been publicly notified but the council justified its decision by saying the shed would have only a minor environmental impact.
