Fish smokehouse fire poses problem for firefighters

Firefighters were almost smoked out while fighting a smokehouse blaze at New Zealand King Salmon factory in Tahunanui, Nelson, last night.

They were forced to wear breathing apparatus as they took five hours extinguishing the flames.

The fire, which broke out about 6pm, proved to be a long and arduous job, Nelson fire service senior station officer Steve Shackleton told The Nelson Mail.

"So much manpower was needed to get to the seat of the fire and put it out.

There was so much smoke in the Rotherham St building that firefighters had to use breathing apparatus to go inside.

Inquiries were continuing to try and determine the cause of the blaze.

- NZPA