Blaze guts Invercargill warehouse

An Invercargill couple were last night in shock after they were forced to watch helplessly as their company warehouse was gutted by a spectacular blaze.

Lindsay Carrying Co Ltd owner Christine Anderson said she and her husband Bryan were "absolutely flabbergasted" at the fire that destroyed their Eye St property.

The Andersons arrived at the scene amid chaos as onlookers flocked to watch the blaze which forced huge plumes of black smoke across the Invercargill skyline.

Five fire appliances from Invercargill, Kingswell and Wallacetown fought the fire, which started about 9.20pm.

Police were forced to restrain the large crowd that gathered in Conon St as explosions were heard coming from inside the warehouse and a huge fireball erupted high into the sky.

Fire safety officers were expected to begin their investigation into the cause of the blaze today.

- NZPA