Police appeal for witnesses to Napier fire at fertiliser factory
Police investigating a fire at the Ravensdown shed on Waitangi Road, Napier are appealing for witnesses.
Firefighters spent almost four hours battling the large sulphur fire at the shed that started after a car crashed into the Napier fertiliser plant.
Emergency services were called to Ravensdown Napier Works at about 2.10am this morning.
Fire and Emergency NZ Hawke's Bay Area Manager Ken Cooper said they were alerted to the incident after a passerby noticed the fire and called 111.
State Highway 51 was closed as a precaution and nine fire appliances attended.
Cooper said they got the fire "under control very quickly".
As sulphur poses a "significant hazard" they implemented their tactical plan. Fire crews were on site until 7am this morning.
Cooper said sulphur is challenging to extinguish and can reignite quite easily, hence why crews remained on site.
As they have determined the cause of the fire, they have now handed the scene over to police.
In a statement, police, who were called to assist Fire and Emergency New Zealand, said a car was located at the scene of the fire but nobody was located with the vehicle.
Police and a fire investigator attended the scene this morning and an investigation into the circumstances is underway.
Police would like to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area.
"We urge anyone with any information to contact Police on 105 quoting file number 201213/3460," police said.
Information can also be passed on anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
