Fire at packhouse during strike action, roads blocked

Firefighters are warning about the effects of smoke from a fire at a packhouse on the outskirts of Hastings. 

The fire was reported at 12.39pm - during nationwide professional firefighter strike action - on a property just west of the roundabout intersection of the Hawke’s Bay Expressway and Omahu Rd. 

The fire as seen from Oak Ave. Photo / Chris O'Connor 

Fire and Emergency reported 40 minutes later that 12 units from Napier and Hastings, as far as Bay View and Haumoana, were at the fire. It had gone to a second alarm. 

A shift manager said it was reported to have spread to a building from a fire near a wall. 

A post on Hawke’s Bay - Fire and Emergency’s Facebook page said the fire was at an Omahu Rd packing house. 

Winds were forecast to hit 40km/h in the area during the afternoon, the subject of a “strong wind watch” notice issued by MetService. 

“People in the area are advised to keep windows and doors closed,” Hawke’s Bay Fire and Emergency said. 

“Those sensitive to the smoke should call HealthLine or their doctor if they feel unwell.” 

Police and traffic management were in place, a police spokesperson said. 

Firefighters put out the fire at the Omahu Rd packhouse. Photo / Fire and Emergency