Health warning after fire at plastics plant

Health and fire authorities are warning people to stay indoors with the doors and windows shut after fire gutted a plastic recycling plant in Otaki.

About 15 firefighters and more than 50 firefighters were called to Pacific Plastics Recyclers Ltd just after 4am today to find the factory completely engulfed.

Despite crews being called in from as far away as Wellington the factory could not be saved and firefighters expected to remain on site throughout today extinguishing fires underneath the collapsed building's floor.

Late this morning, the Fire Service issued a warning on behalf of regional health staff for people living south of Otaki.

"People with known respiratory conditions, such as asthma or heart problems should remain inside with doors and windows closed," the warning said.

"Vehicles travelling through the area should reduce air intake from outside by closing external vents or set the air to circulate within the vehicle."

The warning was to stay in place until further notice.

Pacific Plastic Recyclers Ltd operations manager Jim Rimmer told NZPA the factory was "totalled" but the company would make every effort to keep staff on.

The extrusions factory, manufacturing pipes and plastic sheeting, usually ran 24 hours a day, five days a week and Mr Rimmer said the factory had only been not running this morning because it was the Wellington Anniversary Day public holiday.

He said if staff had been on site, they might have been able to either put the fire out early or notify the fire service quickly, but it was fortunate nobody had been there or was injured.

"As far as I'm concerned nobody will lose their jobs."

Mr Rimmer said the company would be meeting tomorrow to decide what to do in the meantime.

"This factory will have to be re-built from the ground up with all-new machinery," he said.

"We're one of the bigger employers in Otaki and the place is insured -- I just hope it covers everything."

He said the destroyed machinery could take up to six months to source from overseas.

Many of the staff were yet to find out what had happened.

"A lot of them won't know until they turn up for work the night shift tonight and the rest tomorrow but word gets around pretty quick -- they won't be happy but we will do our best to look after everybody," Mr Rimmer said.

The company's other factories were not big enough or properly equipped to take over production.

Items collected for recycling included all types of plastic bottles and shopping bags and were brought in from around the country.

Wellington area deputy chief fire officer John Jackson said it was too early to say what caused the blaze but fire safety investigators and police were making inquiries.

- NZPA