Fire at Mount Maunganui wood waste yard under investigation

Flames and smoke are billowing. Photo / James Dudley

A fire investigator will head to the scene of a large blaze at Te Maunga this morning, where firefighters battled for more than six hours.

The cause was still unknown for the large fire that was burning at Goodwood Ltd, a wood waste recycling centre in Mount Maunganui.

A spokeswoman from the company confirmed the fire was at their premises, but could not making any further comment other than that the incident was under investigation.

The blaze could be seen as far as Welcome Bay, with a huge plume of smoke seen near the Baypark stadium.

A Welcome Bay resident said she could see "orange flames" and billowing black smoke from her home.

Fire and Emergency shift manager Colin Underdown said the fire was on Tip Lane, off Truman Lane, and involved wooden pallets and a truck.

He said it was "well-involved" and firefighters were called at 5.15pm yesterday.

Twelve appliances were sent to the scene including six pumps, support vehicles and two tankers to help with water supply.

Crews left the scene just after 11pm.

Users of the Welcome Bay Noticeboard Facebook page said they could see the flames from Welcome Bay and Ohauiti.

A police spokeswoman confirmed police had also been called to help with traffic management.

She said police had been notified at 5.21pm of a "large fire near the [transfer] station".

There did not appear to be any reports of persons trapped or injured, she said.

"I understand they will be putting up road blocks. I understand police will be assisting with traffic management."

A reporter at the scene said a blockade had been put in place.

She said members of the public who stopped to look were being asked to move along by firefighters while other workers were unable to leave the cordoned area.

The opening ceremony of the North Island Junior Secondary School Volleyball Championships is due to take place tonight at the neighbouring Trustpower Bay Park Arena and there is no suggestion it will be affected.

The number of appliances at the scene had reduced by 7pm and Underdown could not say how long the others would remain there.

Smoke can be see from the motorway.