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Icepak management last night admitted sprinkler systems could be installed in coolstores after its reasons for not having them were rejected by the country's top firefighter.
The company said it did not have sprinklers because water would freeze in the coolstore, but managing director Wayne Grattan later said coolstores could be equipped with sprinkler systems.
The coolstore was not fitted with sprinklers but was protected by alternative fire protection systems which met industry safety standards, Mr Grattan said.
The company was now reviewing systems at its remaining coolstores in Waharoa, Wanganui and Otaki.
Mr Grattan said the company would assist authorities in a full investigation.
Firefighters said it might be days before they could inspect the burned ruins and begin the inquiry into the explosion, which began with a callout to a privately-monitored fire alarm.
National commander Mike Hall said yesterday that there had been no sign of fire when the eight firefighters arrived.
He said some kind of substance was released before the explosion but its type was unknown.
Mr Hall said the incident had raised the organisation's concern about the number of industrial properties in areas without reticulated water supplies.
He said sprinklers were also an issue, and there had been none at the Icepak coolstore.
The company had said it did not have sprinklers because it was a refrigeration plant and the water would freeze.
"I don't find that an acceptable excuse," Mr Hall said. "There are lots of technical solutions to that."
Firefighters were hosing water over the factory remains yesterday but incident controller, Taupo's Deputy Chief Fire Officer Des Irving, said there was little more they could do except wait for the fire to burn out.
He said he expected the fire would be burning for two days.
