Investigation into fire at Bremworth’s Whanganui plant

Five fire trucks were sent to a fire at Bremworth's Leamington St plant on Sunday evening.

An investigation is under way after a fire at carpet manufacturer Bremworth’s Whanganui plant in Castlecliff.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said five fire trucks and two support vehicles responded to an automated alarm at 5.15pm on Sunday.

Fire and Emergency Whanganui senior station officer Shane Dudley said the fire was contained by 5.45pm, with help from the automated sprinklers inside the building.

“The building was 200m by 50m and the fire was 10m by 3m but because the building was so big and it was smoke weltered [thick smoke obscuring visibility], it took a long time to clear the smoke and get to the seat of the fire,” Dudley said.

A fire investigator and a scene guard were at the Leamington St plant on Monday morning.

“Any time you are not 100% sure of the outcome, you should get the investigator and dot the Is and cross the Ts,” the Fire and Emergency spokesman said.

Bremworth chief executive Craig Woolford said the fire started in a wool holding bin and the Whanganui plant would resume production soon.

“The fire was quickly contained and, according to the NZ Fire Service, was likely caused by an electrical fault,” Woolford said.

“A full safety check has been carried out at the facility and yarn production will resume shortly.”