Seven injured in Fonterra plant explosion

Photo / Mark Mitchell

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Seven men are under assessment at Waikato Hospital with minor to multiple injuries after an explosion in a heating unit at a Fonterra plant in Hamilton.

Emergency crews were called to Canpac International on Foreman Rd at 12.45 this afternoon.

A Fonterra spokesman said a print oven had exploded and staff were investigating.

Assistant fire area manager Martin Berryman said investigators working to establish the cause of the explosion had traced it to a machine in one part of the plant.

"In this particular case, it hasn't carried on burning, it's just created the explosion and damage and extinguished itself."

The rest of the plant is continuing to operate.

The Fonterra spokesman said two people had been treated on the site with abrasions and concussion and another five were taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

The seven men are aged between 40 and 52, a Waikato District Health Board spokesperson said.

- NZPA, NZHERALD STAFF