Download PDF: Issue 9 - New Zealand Fire Service

Images courtesy TV3 and Nigel Capon
Incidents
Auckland’s 5th alarm
factory fi re
The Auckland Fire Region experienced one of its largest
mobilisations of fi refi ghters and appliances at a 5th alarm
factory fire in April. A foodstuffs warehouse and
distribution centre caught fi re at Otahuhu.
More than 20 appliances and 80 staff were involved at
the height of the blaze. Incident controller, chief fi re offi cer
Russell Wood, said fi refi ghting was made diffi cult due to
problems gaining access to the seat of the fi re. This was
because of large volumes of fl ammable cooking oils, LPG
cylinders and the fact fi refi ghters had to advance a long
way into the building in and around high storage shelves
stocked with goods.
As the fi re spread and grew in intensity the integrity of the
structure became a concern and the decision was made to
move from an offensive to a defensive attack. The cooking
oils and other foodstuffs posed an environmental hazard
for several days and made the clean up of PPE, equipment
and appliances a big job.
“The good news story was that fi refi ghters were able to
rescue valuable computer and hard copy files which
enabled the business to quickly transfer management of
its operation to Wellington. Distribution and deliveries
were able to continue as early as one day after the fi re,”
Russell said.
16 Issue No. 9
Firefi ghting was made diffi cult due to problems
gaining access to the seat of the fi re.