Whangārei warehouse fire likely sparked by lithium batteries, Fire and Emergency NZ says

A large warehouse fire, which resulted in a smoke alert for Whangārei, is believed to have been started by lithium-ion batteries.

Fire and Emergency said yesterday that the cause of the fire was “undetermined”, but batteries were thought to have started it.

A spokesperson had said earlier that the building on Kioreroa Rd was used for storage and installation of solar panels and lithium batteries.

Crews were called to the scene about 7.30pm on Tuesday, with at least 11 crews on site at the fire’s height.

On Wednesday evening, crews were called again to attend a second blaze in the same building.

Firefighters battle the blaze at Kioreroa Rd on Tuesday evening. Photo / Donny Wilson

Some batteries had caught fire after the previous blaze, according to Fire and Emergency.

Crews from Whangārei attended and extinguished the fire by submerging the batteries, then monitored the building throughout the night.

The initial fire had torn through the large warehouse building, destroying the back half.

Fire investigator Greg Hartwell said it would probably have to be demolished.

However, the front half had only water and smoke damage, which he described as a good save by crews.

A ladder truck from Auckland attended the scene on Tuesday evening, supporting the efforts of Whangārei’s crews.

As large plumes of smoke filled the air that evening, a smoke advisory was issued for nearby residents.

It was lifted at 1.30am on Wednesday.

Hartwell previously said the building did not have automatic fire detection or a sprinkler system.

Automatic fire detection would have got a quicker response from emergency services, he said.

Instead, it was a passing motorist who called in the fire.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.