Whangārei warehouse fire: Investigators on site, half of building destroyed

A passing motorist raised the alarm about a blaze that destroyed part of a Whangārei warehouse yesterday.

Firefighters were called to the two-storey building on Kioreroa Rd about 7.25pm. The fire was well-involved when they arrived.

At the fire’s peak, 11 crews were on site working to contain the blaze.

Five windows blew out at the front of the building on the second storey, behind which burned insulation hung in large clumps.

Ground floor windows were blackened from smoke.

At the back of the building, corrugated iron appeared misshapen and charred.

Orange light illuminates a firefighter working at the Kioreroa Rd blaze. Photo / Donny Wilson

A fire at a large warehouse on Kioreroa Rd near Port Whangārei is under investigation today. Photo / Brodie Stone

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson had earlier said the building was used for storage and installation of solar panels and lithium batteries.

Three investigators and several fire crews were at the warehouse today.

Fire investigator Greg Hartwell said the building did not have automatic fire detection or a sprinkler system.

“It was a passing member of the public that saw the smoke.

“Automatic fire detection would have got a quicker response.”

Hartwell was working with colleagues and the building owner’s insurance company to determine the fire’s cause.

He said the fire started at the rear of the building.

A fire investigator says a blaze at a large warehouse in Whangārei started at the back of the building, which is now almost entirely destroyed. Photo / Brodie Stone

“The back half of the building has been destroyed, and the front half of it, it’s just smoke and water damage only.”

Hartwell said the worst areas would have to be completely demolished but the front of the building was a “good save”.

Operational crews were today mopping up.

Fire Investigator Greg Hartwell says it is mostly smoke and water damage to the front of the warehouse. Photo / Brodie Stone

Several hotspots had already been dealt with this morning.

When the Northern Advocate visited about 9.15am, at least five trucks and a hazmat control unit were onsite.

Hartwell said a smoke advisory issued yesterday evening was due to the unknown extent of the fire and toxins possibly emitted.

It has been lifted.

Several videos on social media showed dark-coloured smoke billowing from the building.

Hartwell said it was lucky the fire was in an industrial area and no one was hurt.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.