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16 February 2024
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Large fire at a waste facility in Ōnehunga, Auckland, New Zealand
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Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews responded to a large industrial rubbish fire in Ōnehunga on Wednesday, 7 February 2024. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) spokesperson said that 22 crews were on the ground working to contain the large fire that is 60 metres by 50 metres in size. One structure was on fire and a second structure was being threatened by fire. Large flames and billowing smoke could be seen for several kilometres as emergency services responded to the massive fire at the Green Gorilla Waste Facility on Victoria Street. Two helicopters that assisted ground crews throughout the afternoon ceased flying about 20h15 but Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said crews remained overnight.
Police began evacuations of commercial buildings immediately downwind from the fire on the street about 15h45. “Ground crews will work on rotation through the night to attempt to extinguish the fire. The fire remains contained, but is still active,” FENZ said in a statement at 21h30. Fresh crews would come in the morning, with operations expected to continue at least through most of the day Thursday. “There will continue to be smoke in the area this evening and likely into the morning. Anyone in the vicinity is advised to keep out of the smoke,” FENZ said.
Fire investigators returned to the scene on Thursday to ascertain the cause of the fire.
In a statement, Green Gorilla said nobody was harmed in the fire at its state-of-the-art commercial and industrial waste processing facility. “At Green Gorilla, the safety of our community, employees and the environment remains our utmost priority. I want to reassure everyone that no one has been harmed as a result of this incident,” CEO Elaine Morgan said.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, Morgan added, but the immediate focus was ensuring the safety of staff and those in the surrounding area.
“We are working in partnership with FENZ and Auckland City Council to respond to the fire and mitigate any potential impacts on the community and environment,” Morgan said. “I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the dedicated Green Gorilla staff for their swift response to the fire incident. Through their adherence to safety protocols and best practices, we have thankfully avoided any injuries. The health and safety of our team and the community are always our top priorities and their commitment to these principles has been exemplary.”
The Green Gorilla facility in Onehunga processes more than 10,000 tonnes of commercial, construction and demolition waste each month.
This includes separating recyclable materials such as metal, wood, rubble, cardboard, paper, aluminium cans, steel and plastic bottles, the company explained. The wood chipping operation converts treated and untreated wood into useful products such as biofuel, landscaping chips and animal bedding.
“I understand the concern and impact this incident may have on the local community and environment. Green Gorilla is committed to working closely with local authorities, emergency services, and relevant stakeholders to address the situation swiftly and effectively,” Morgan said.
Local Auckland councillor for the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Ward, Josephine Bartley, posted on her social media that the “source of the fire appears to have been a woodchip pile”. “The fire appears to involve two buildings on the same address. There are currently no welfare concerns we are aware of.”
Video taken of the fire, which the Herald understands is at Green Gorilla on Victoria St, shows massive flames visible from about 1km.
Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), NZ Herald
Police began evacuations of commercial buildings immediately downwind from the fire on the street about 15h45. “Ground crews will work on rotation through the night to attempt to extinguish the fire. The fire remains contained, but is still active,” FENZ said in a statement at 21h30. Fresh crews would come in the morning, with operations expected to continue at least through most of the day Thursday. “There will continue to be smoke in the area this evening and likely into the morning. Anyone in the vicinity is advised to keep out of the smoke,” FENZ said.
Fire investigators returned to the scene on Thursday to ascertain the cause of the fire.
In a statement, Green Gorilla said nobody was harmed in the fire at its state-of-the-art commercial and industrial waste processing facility. “At Green Gorilla, the safety of our community, employees and the environment remains our utmost priority. I want to reassure everyone that no one has been harmed as a result of this incident,” CEO Elaine Morgan said.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, Morgan added, but the immediate focus was ensuring the safety of staff and those in the surrounding area.
“We are working in partnership with FENZ and Auckland City Council to respond to the fire and mitigate any potential impacts on the community and environment,” Morgan said. “I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the dedicated Green Gorilla staff for their swift response to the fire incident. Through their adherence to safety protocols and best practices, we have thankfully avoided any injuries. The health and safety of our team and the community are always our top priorities and their commitment to these principles has been exemplary.”
The Green Gorilla facility in Onehunga processes more than 10,000 tonnes of commercial, construction and demolition waste each month.
This includes separating recyclable materials such as metal, wood, rubble, cardboard, paper, aluminium cans, steel and plastic bottles, the company explained. The wood chipping operation converts treated and untreated wood into useful products such as biofuel, landscaping chips and animal bedding.
“I understand the concern and impact this incident may have on the local community and environment. Green Gorilla is committed to working closely with local authorities, emergency services, and relevant stakeholders to address the situation swiftly and effectively,” Morgan said.
Local Auckland councillor for the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Ward, Josephine Bartley, posted on her social media that the “source of the fire appears to have been a woodchip pile”. “The fire appears to involve two buildings on the same address. There are currently no welfare concerns we are aware of.”
Video taken of the fire, which the Herald understands is at Green Gorilla on Victoria St, shows massive flames visible from about 1km.
Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), NZ Herald
