Firefighters have issued a warning about the effects of smoke from a fire at a packhouse on the outskirts of Hastings this afternoon.
The fire was reported at 12.39pm – during a nationwide strike by professional firefighters – on a property off Ormond Rd, northwest of the roundabout intersection of the Hawke’s Bay Expressway and Omahu Rd.
Fire and Emergency reported 40 minutes later that 12 units from Napier and Hastings brigades and volunteer brigades from Bay View, Taradale and Haumoana were at the fire.
A shift manager said it was reported to have spread to a building from a fire near a wall, and the alert was raised to a second alarm.
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, with a strong wind watch issued by MetService for an area from Hastings to Tararua until 6pm.
“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.”
About 2.30pm, Fire and Emergency said the fire had been brought under control, but appliances were still at the scene.
Police and traffic management were in place, police said, and Omahu Rd was closed. One motorist reported that traffic was still heavy in the area about 3.30pm.