Executives discuss future of dairy factory after fire

Fonterra executives are meeting today to discuss the future of the dairy company's Takaka factory which was all but destroyed by fire last night.

Around 3,000 residents living near the plant northwest of Nelson were evacuated because of fears about toxic fumes. Emergency services were concerned that if the fire engulfed silos of caustic soda and sulphuric acid, mustard gas would result. Locals were allowed to return to their homes late last night.

Fonterra spokesman John Redwood says it is too early to know if any of the factory can be salvaged and the situation will be assessed more fully once the Fire Service has secured the site and handed it back to the company.

Tasman District mayor John Hurley is concerned about the impact on the economy, as Fonterra is the biggest employer in the area.

The factory was not in production when the blaze broke out, but processes up to 900,000 litres of milk a day during the peak summer months.

- NEWSTALK ZB