Large industrial building catches fire near Hastings, then cops a drenching

Firefighters quelled a blaze at a large industrial building near Hastings with some fancy equipment - and the help of a change in weather.

Emergency services were called to the industrial area of Whakatu, near Anderson Rd and across the railway line from the Fire Station Cafe, about 11.30am on Tuesday.

Flames visible through a duct in the roof of the large building. Photo / Jack Riddell

Flames and black smoke could be seen coming from inside the roof of the building, which looked to be in the process of being demolished.

Firefighters appeared to be gaining control of the fire as at noon before a dousing of rain came over the Heretaunga Plains on Tuesday afternoon.

One person at the scene was treated by a Hato Hone St John ambulance for minor smoke inhalation but did not need to be taken to hospital.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman Murray Dunbar said the fire had been escalated to a second-alarm situation because of the building’s size.

They sent six pumping appliances, three tankers and three specialist vehicles, and were fighting the fire with an aerial appliance with an elevated monitor to get to the building’s higher levels.

The industrial building appeared to be in the process of being demolished.

“The building is a 50 by 50-metre three-level industrial complex, and I understand it was under demolition at the time and the fire was located on the third floor.”

Dunbar said firefighters had been “at work with deck monitors prior to that and were just setting up to send personnel inside for an internal attack”.

Firefighters had been staged outside the main complex, which was accessible from Johnston Way.

Cordons were being put in place in the area. Smoke could initially be seen from Hastings.

Dunbar said the fire was extinguished and the last appliance left the building site at 3pm, and no fire investigator was needed.

Flames inside the roof cavity of the building.