Napier fire: One seriously injured after car fire spreads to shed at wreckers

The fire engulfed a business in Onekawa, Napier.

A person has been seriously injured in a fire at a wrecker’s yard in Napier’s Onekawa industrial district.

The fire in a shed at Beejay Wreckers, erupted just before 11.50am.

A pall of black smoke was visible across the city.

The aftermath of the fire in the Onekawa Industrial District on Tuesday.

Fire and Emergency NZ Napier senior station officer Dan Nesbit said three people had been in the open steel workshop, which measured about 30m by 10m.

Hato Hone St John said one person was taken to Hawke’s Bay Hospital in Hastings in a serious condition, but no other injuries were reported.

Two appliances from the nearby Napier station were quickly on the scene, and another was on its way from Hastings when the fire was brought under control within half an hour.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said firefighters arrived to find a car on fire in the shed.

Nesbit said the fire, behind the Wakefield St club of the Hawke’s Bay Indoor Bowling Centre and about 10 metres from the nearest building, was fought externally due to the risk of roof collapse.

A “couple” of businesses self-evacuated as a precaution.

The owner of a Thorn Pl business backing onto the scene was unaffected.

Wakefield St traffic was blocked between Leyland and Niven streets during the fire, which was being investigated by a fire safety officer and Worksafe.

The fire as seen from Thorn Pl, Onekawa, Napier.