Fire gutted a large animal by-products plant in South Taranaki on New Zealand‘s North Island yesterday.
The Taranaki Daily News reports that 45 firefighters and 12 fire engines from Okaiawa, Hawera, Eltham, Stratford, Manaia, Kaponga and New Plymouth were called to the fire. It took them about 90 minutes to put out the blaze.
Nobody was in the factory at the time and there were no reports of injuries.
The plant's co-owner Amanda Smith told the Taranaki Daily News that the company is a family business which was started by her great-grandfather.
She added that it was too early to say in what way the fire will affect the business.
Taranaki fire safety officer Matt Crabtree said the fire had spread to the roof between the plant's boiler room and dryer area. He added that the cause of the fire was still being investigated.
According to NewstalkZB, there were also fires at the plant in late 2012 and early 2013. These were caused by commercial dryers.