One man seriously injured after explosion at Affco's Moerewa freezing works

Fire and Emergency vehicles on site at Moerewa Freezing works on Friday morning after the explosion. Photo / John Stone

A man has been seriously injured in an explosion at the Affco Moerewa Meat Processing Plant in the Far North.

A Fire and Emergency services spokesman said there had been an explosion and fire in a coal hopper.

Two appliances were sent to the scene.

Moerewa meat processing plant. Photo / John Stone

As of 9.30pm the fire had been put out, and crews were working to cool down a boiler.

St John said ambulance services were called to the event at 7.28pm and treated one person in a serious condition, with burns.

A fire investigator leaves the Moerewa meat processing plant after investigating the scene of the accident. Photo / John Stone

A rescue helicopter was sent to transfer the ijured person to Middlemore Hospital in Auckland.

A spokesman for the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter said they were tasked to Bay of Islands Hospital, in Kawakawa, to assist with the urgent transportation of a male patient in his 30s suffering extensive burns to his body.

A reporter at the scene this morning said there were no visible signs of smoke or fire damage from the road in front of the plant.

Two Fire and Emergency vehicles were parked outside buildings on the freezing works site off to the right of the main entrance.

Two people in hi-vis safety vests were seen entering a nearby building.