Massive fire in Mount Maunganui storage building

A massive storage building containing 8000 tonnes of palm kernel went up in flames in Mount Maunganui today - prompting a callout of 50 firefighters and closing many businesses in the surrounding area.
Thick smoke drifted across part of Mount Maunganui as firefighters fought the blaze and then dampened the smouldering remains after the huge fire broke out at the the 2500 sq m J Swap building on the corner of Totara St and Hull St.
The building was used for storage and processing of palm kernel and was engulfed by the time the first firefighters arrived on the scene.
Fire Service acting area commander Geoff Purcell said two fire trucks responded to the first call at 12.43am and urgently called for extra fire crews.
Mr Purcell said that at the height of the fire 50 firefighters and 10 fire trucks were involved in fighting the blaze which caused the whole steel structure of the building to collapse and the concrete walls to bow.
The building will have to be demolished and a J Swap excavator was this morning being used to remove some of the cladding so fire crews could get better access to the core of the still-smouldering building to have a better look and dampen down any hot spots.
"We expect the building to be still smouldering for most of the day as 8000 tonnes of palm kernel will take a long time to burn out but the smoke is not toxic. Most businesses in Totara St are likely to be close all day because of the thick smoke although some may still opt to open."