Fire destroys Hastings packhouse

More than 100 people escaped injury as the Hastings packhouse they were working in burst into flames this morning.

Chief Fire Officer Ray Brown told NZPA today the 110 staff working in the Longlands Road West apple packhouse followed procedure and got out safely.

The fire started just after 7.00am, and destroyed the main packhouse and some fruit bins.

"We have managed to keep the fire away from the house as well as two buildings near the packhouse," Mr Brown said.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation, and it would be a little while before the fire service could determine what happened, Mr Brown said.

About 50 fire fighters were called to the scene, and Mr Brown said they would be there for "quite some time" dampening down the area.

- NZPA