Reports Of Fire At Old Mataura Paper Mill

UPDATE:
Fire and Emergency is attending a fire at the Old Paper Mill in Mataura.
Crews were called at about twenty 1.40 this afternoon.
More than 30 firefighters are in attendance.
There is currently no danger of the fire getting near where the ouvea premix is stored. The fire is on the floor underneath the premix, approximately 30 metres away.
The fire currently covers a 10 square metre area, in the hydro generator. It is contained.
Fire fighters are currently working to isolate the power and will extinguish the fire once it is confirmed the power isn’t generating.

Diversions are in place around the Mataura area due to a large fire in the old paper mill.

Road closures are in place while emergency services respond to a building fire on Kana Street (State Highway 93).

The fire was reported about 1:40pm, and A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said two appliances from Mataura were at the scene of the fire from around 1.50pm, with two more on the way from Gore.

There have been reports the fire was inside the old paper mill, where ouvea premix is stored, but this was yet to be confirmed.

A number of diversions are in place around Mataura and traffic is being diverted up State Highway 1.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area and expect significant delays.

Emergency services were called to the old mill late last month following reports of a sprinkler being activated after being damaged due to heavy frosts.