50 fish jobs safe despite fire

The jobs of 50 staff at a burned-out fish factory in Christchurch are safe.

The June 8 fire destroyed Fresco Seafoods' processing factory and the catch from 20 boats.

But a company spokeswoman said staff would start processing fish for export today at temporary accommodation provided by Independent Fisheries.

"All staff have been offered full employment," she said. Insurers had accepted the company's fire-damage claim for its two-storey factory, which had been operating since 1989. Fresco was seeking premises to conduct its wholesale auction.

Fresco processes, sells and exports fish for other South Island fish companies that do not have processing factories.