NZ Fire Service update on Kilbirnie fire - 2pm

A large digger is now being used to pull apart the Wellington storage facilty to allow firefighters access to the interior.

The fire has been burning for several hours and has been contained. However, Assistant Area Commander Paul Smith says it has not been safe to fight the fire from inside and it has been difficult to get water into the interior from the aerial ladders and ground monitors.

Removing part of the roof and wall will allow much more water to be directed into the seat of the fire.

AAC Smith said the building did not have sprinklers and shows how damaging a fire can be. "Our advice is for commercial property owners of large buildings to install sprinklers - that way any fire that does start is either doused by the sprinklers or stopped from spreading until firefighters arrive."

There is still thick smoke being produced by the fire and this will continue for some time. Residents and people working in the area are advised to stay indoors if they can and to keep windows closed.

ENDS

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