'Dust explosion' prompts blaze at Canterbury plant

A fire at a Canterbury plant this morning was a "dust explosion", a Fire Service spokesman said.

Fire Service command unit spokesman Michael Balmer said it was not yet known what caused the fire at Carter Holt Harvey Panels in Rangiora just after 8.30am.

Part of the wood panel processing involves woodchipping and grinding and creates lots of fine particles of dust which burn easily, he said.

" If it's disturbed and you get all this dust in the air and that gets an ignition source, which could be a spark from part of the processing, or even friction, then it's an explosive situation."

Fires caused in this way burnt rapidly with explosive force, Mr Balmer said.

The fire extensively damaged the area of the plant where it broke out, but was contained there, he said.

Some plant staff witnessed the explosion but no one was injured.

Fire Service investigators will work to determine the cause of the dust explosion.

- NZPA