Major Fire Breaks Out at Wairau Valley Recycling Plant
Emergency services were dispatched to a significant blaze at a recycling facility on Hillside Rd in Wairau Valley around 5:24 PM yesterday. The fire generated considerable smoke that was visible across the city.
Residents reported numerous fire trucks racing to the location, and Bronwyn Patterson, a nearby resident, recounted to the Herald, “There were loud explosions, with debris shooting into the air.” Items landing in her backyard, possibly paper, plastic, or parts of the roof, further heightened the chaos. “The smoke was exceedingly dark,” she added.
Complications in Emergency Response
According to Campbell, the emergency response encountered serious issues when a malfunction occurred in one of the aerial units while two firefighters were positioned in the basket above the flames. The computerized system failed, causing the aerial basket to stop functioning. Standard troubleshooting measures failed, leading to a critical situation when an emergency manual lever broke in one firefighter’s hand.
“Although their situation was not immediately life-threatening, they risked running out of air if not rescued timely,” he noted, necessitating the use of alternative aerial equipment for the rescue.
Investigation into Equipment Failure
The union expressed a desire for Fire and Emergency services to review the malfunctioning apparatus to identify potential preventative measures. Campbell pointed out that the faulty equipment had been in use for over a decade, while the device used for the rescue was nearly 20 years old.
He acknowledged that one truck in the fleet is scheduled for retirement in six months, but it was not the unit that failed. “This incident reflects the aging aerial fleet within Fire and Emergency,” Campbell remarked, criticizing the claim of regular maintenance.
Update on the Fire Situation
This morning, fire crews continued to battle the blaze, seeking to fully extinguish it. Assistant commander James Hall reported that multiple fire trucks and ladder units were present, and while small flare-ups remained, the threat posed by lithium-ion batteries involved in the fire was now mitigated. An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
Local officials reported that two workers at the recycling plant attempted to control the fire themselves but were overwhelmed as it escalated.
Community Response and Support
A community support area was established at Glenfield Baptist Church for residents affected by the incident. MP Dan Bidois expressed his sorrow regarding the fire, emphasizing the importance of the organization involved. The recycling charity affected expressed anguish over the extensive damage but was relieved that no one was injured, stating, “We are working closely with appropriate authorities and deeply appreciate the support and kindness we’ve received.”
