Firefighters Contain Blaze at Lake St Storage Facility, Council Animal Care Facility Evacuated
A large fire broke out at a storage facility in Lake St, Invercargill this evening, with Fire and Emergency crews working tirelessly to contain the blaze. Although the fire is largely confined to the 50m x 30m building, it is not yet completely extinguished.
At the height of the fire, approximately 40 firefighters and nine fire trucks were on the scene fighting the blaze, but this number has now reduced. According to Fire and Emergency Incident Controller Julian Tohiariki, crews will remain at the site throughout the night to ensure the fire remains contained, before working to remove any remaining fire fuels inside the building in the morning.
People in the vicinity may still see smoke coming from the area, but Tohiariki has reassured residents that the smoke is not toxic and is similar to smoke from a vegetation fire. Nevertheless, he urged anyone encountering the smoke to stay indoors with their windows and doors closed as inhaling any smoke is hazardous to health.
The road closure on State Highway 1 will remain in place through until the morning, causing potential delays for motorists in the area. Authorities are urging drivers to take alternate routes and follow the instructions of emergency services at the scene.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown, and authorities will be conducting an investigation once the blaze is fully extinguished.
In addition to the ongoing firefighting efforts, the Council’s Animal Care Facility located in Lake St has been evacuated to ensure the safety of staff and animals. The Council has taken steps to ensure that any animal control callouts can still be made this evening by calling their usual number 211 1777.
The Council is advising residents to keep themselves safe and stay away from the area to allow the fire service to do their job. Furthermore, they have assured the public that they have a comprehensive plan in place to address any potential animal control emergencies during this time.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and investigations will commence once the fire is fully extinguished. In the meantime, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and to cooperate with emergency services at the scene.
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