Fire puts Te Puke sawmill out of action

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A blaze at a Te Puke sawmill last night has put the mill out of action for two days.

The fire broke out in a delivery hopper at the Pukepine Sawmill on State Highway 2 about 6.40pm.

Fire Service northern communications shift manager Jaron Phillips said the fire spread to an 800 square metre storage building, which was well alight.

Crews from six fire trucks were called in from across the Bay of Plenty to battle the blaze.

Mr Phillips said they managed to prevent the fire from spreading to a neighbouring stack of timber and another building.

The fire was brought under control within three hours.

Pukepine owner Ken Tanner said the fire had damaged the roof and walls of the building, but the structure was fine.

The fire had also damaged a conveyor which were used to carry sawdust.

"We obviously appreciate the local fire brigade's response, because it is pretty critical at such times."

Mr Tanner said the sawmill would be back up and running within two days and customers would not be affected.