December 17, 2008

A series of explosions at a pulp and paper mill at Kawerau in the Bay of Plenty sparked an urgent response from fire crews in the district this afternoon.
Fire fighters suspected a buildup of gases had caused the loud explosions, which resulted in damage to equipment and part of the plant being evacuated.
Kawerau fire station officer Neil Patrick said there was no sign of fire when crews arrived and machinery was shut down as a precautionary measure.
Staff at the mill were investigating exactly what may have caused the problem.
Several units from local settlements turned up at the scene, while others which responded from Rotorua were believed to have been stood down when it was deemed safe.