Napier fire sparks factory evacuation

A Napier manufacturing plant was evacuated for more than an hour today as firefighters overcame a potentially lethal fire in a hopper full of wood dust.

The fire at Future Products, in Austin Street, Onekawa, was reported at 8.04am and was in a hopper outside.

Fire Service senior station officer Paul Kale, of Napier, said the fire had a possibility of dust explosion, but was able to be emptied with all major dangers averted through the combined efforts of staff of the plant and the two fire crews.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY