Imperial Tobacco building in Lower Hutt evacuated due to heavy smoke

Friday, 29 December 2017

Smoke was discovered in the Imperial Tobacco building in Petone prompting a large fire callout.

Fire crews have found and extinguished a fire that shut down a Petone cigarette factory.

Shift manager Chris Dalton said the fire was located in the Imperial Tobacco New Zealand building's ducting, but he did not know the size or scale of it.

Crews were currently investigating to confirm the fire had not spread to any other areas.

A suspected fire has led to the evacuation of the Imperial Tobacco New Zealand building in Petone

The fire was reported after heavy smoke appeared on the first floor of the factory.

Six engines remained at the scene, as well as a ladder truck and mobile command unit.

A fire occurred at the same property in December 2015 with firefighters extinguished a fire in the roof.

Fire services received the first 111 call at 12.35pm from the factory.

The Imperial Tobacco factory in the Lower Hutt suburb of Petone.

There were no injuries.

A fire occurred at the same property in December 2015 with firefighters extinguished a fire in the roof.