Fire at Fonterra's cheese factory near Hawera

Emergency services are at the Fonterra's Whareroa cheese factory near Hawera, south Taranaki, where a fire has broken out.

A Fire Service communications centre spokeswoman said initial reports were that there was a small fire in a ceiling void.

The Fire Service was alerted at 11.22am and five fire appliances were at the scene. New Plymouth's chief fire officer was also attending.

The Whareroa plant is the world's biggest dairy factory and has 1000 workers.

- NZPA