Fire at Northland port: Nine emergency trucks control blaze

Saturday, 5 December 2020

Nine fire trucks have brought a blaze at Whangārei’s port, Northport, under control.

The blaze broke out at about 11am on Saturday on a conveyor belt which carries wood chips from the port onto loading ships.

It spread to packets of laminated timber, creating a fire about 20m by 15m, said Fire and Emergency NZ shift manager Craig Dally.

Nine fire trucks were working to control the blaze, he said at midday.

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Fire crews from the neighbouring oil refinery, Refining NZ, also responded to the blaze, said Northport spokesman Peter Heath.

The fire was put out at about 12.15pm, he said.

It will not impact on the port’s other operations, as it was in an isolated area.

The fire comes as Northport is preparing to accept its largest-ever container ship, Constantinos P, which is due to arrive on Sunday after being diverted from the congested Ports of Auckland.