Coolstore company pleads guilty over blast

One firefighter was killed and seven injured in the Tamahere coolstore fire. File photo / Herald on Sunday

Hamilton-based Icepak Coolstores has pleaded guilty to three charges in connection with a fatal explosion and fire at their Tamahere coolstore last year.

Hamilton senior station officer Derek Lovell was killed and seven other firefighters injured in the huge explosion and fire at the coolstore on April 5.

Guilty pleas were entered today at Hamilton District Court.

Company directors Jan Van Eden, Iain Slight and Wayne Grattan, who face one charge each under the Health and Safety in Employment Act, maintained not guilty pleas.

Tauranga-based Mobile Refrigeration Specialists and its director Warren Cook also faced charges.

The court was told it was likely guilty pleas would be entered at another callover on June 4.

Mobile Refrigeration Specialists and Cook faced three charges laid under the Health and Safety in Employment Act.

The charges focus on a failure to take practical steps to ensure the safety of people, particularly the firefighters.

A Fire Service report said there was no smell of gas, or signs warning of flammable materials, when firefighters attended, so they were oblivious to the dangers they faced.

- NZPA