Fire safety officers will today begin investigating the cause of a blaze at a Invercargill tile manufacturing plant yesterday - one of the biggest fires in the city recent history.
More than 30 firefighters were called to the Southtile building on North Road in Lorneville, Invercargill, where the blaze began
about 3.45pm.
Crews from around the Southland region were joined at the scene by police, volunteers and ambulance personnel, and fire crews remained at the site overnight to dampen down any hotspots.
Fire Service Southland area manager Brendan Nally said the fire was brought under control within a couple of hours, although two crews remained at the scene to dampen down hot spots hours later.
The fire appeared to have started in the factory's kiln area, Fire Service assistant area commander Julian Tohiariki said.
The kiln area was destroyed and its roof had collapsed in the blaze.
State Highway 6 had to be closed for emergency services to access to the site, while firefighters had to relay water from a pond behind the factory.
It was not known if the building was in use when the fire started, but no injuries were reported.
- NZPA
