One person has died in an explosion at a hazardous materials recycling business in South Auckland. Emergency services rushed to the industrial site on Bolderwood Pl, Wiri about 1.35pm.
The violent explosion that killed a man at a South Auckland industrial site yesterday followed several reports to Auckland Council, Vector and the Fire Service of strong fumes at the facility.
Workers at nearby businesses say the smell of gas and fumes was often overpowering and sometimes caused people to feel nauseous and get headaches.
A contractor died and four other people were injured when a 100,000-litre tank exploded at Salters Cartage in Wiri at 1.36pm.
The business recycles hazardous waste and is the sole agent for Auckland Council's Oil Recycling Initiative.
Owner Ron Salter said welding work was incorrectly started on the tank, and was believed to have ignited vapours. The explosion sent debris flying through the air and into a nearby car storage yard, where it crushed the roof of a vehicle.
Flames and plumes of black smoke shot into the air, and the force of the explosion shook nearby buildings, knocked pictures off walls and was reportedly felt up to 10km away.
The Fire Service confirmed the blast followed a number of reports from nearby workers of strong odours coming from the site.
Emergency services rushed to the industrial site. Photo / Greg Bowker
"There has been a number of calls attributed to this location in regards to the smell of fumes which has caused concern to locals," a spokesman said.
It was understood the Fire Service visited the site in response to the calls, which were also reported to Auckland Council.
The odour is so strong, workers at neighbouring businesses often called Vector to report gas leaks.
The Herald has received a number of reports from people in the area who had done so.
A Vector spokeswoman confirmed multiple reports had been made to its call centre - but said the scent has nothing to do with Vector's gas.
It was understood the scent was being produced by chemical processes at the site.
One contractor was killed and four people were injured when a tank exploded at Salters Cartage. Photo / Nick Reed
The spokeswoman said Vector has informed Auckland Council of the reports.
An engineer at a factory 500m away, Derick Riley, said he had complained to Auckland Council twice in the last six months about the overpowering smell of fumes that came from the site.
"We are across the road from the accident and it reminded me of the complaint I made to Auckland Council about the bad odour of gas coming from the area."
He complained about a month ago, and before that within the last six months, he said.
"It smelled like really strong car fumes and you shouldn't have to breathe that nasty chemical smell when you're in your work environment. I just hope it's not the cause of the tragic incident [yesterday]."
An Auckland Council spokeswoman last night declined to answer questions about the complaints and the council's subsequent response.
A response was expected this afternoon, she said.
In a statement, Auckland Council said it was working with police and the Fire Service regarding the explosion.
Salters Cartage specialises in waste oil collection and recovery, shipping and marine collection and recovery, oil disposal, fuel and chemical delivery, and hazardous liquid storage.
WorkSafe NZ, who is also investigating, said it could not be drawn on any historic issues in case it compromised current inquiries.
