More than 50 exhausted firefighters have finally contained a blaze at a recycling plant in Thames, but it could take another day to extinguish.
Three buildings at the Kopu Industrial Complex have been destroyed in the fire, which started just before 9:30pm on Tuesday night.
High winds spread embers across the site, engulfing piles of timber, wood chips and sawdust, as well as plastic waste.
Four fire trucks and 20 firefighters remain at the scene on Paeroa Kopu Rd.
Fire and Emergency area commander for Eastern Waikato Aaron Waterreus says some vehicles were also damaged in the flames.
"Our crews were arriving to a rapidly developing fire and they were dealing with strong winds, which was especially challenging.
"Our volunteers are absolutely shattered after a long night, and so have been swapped out with crews from other areas. We're so grateful for their efforts, working in such trying conditions all night and many of them have still had to go to their other jobs today."
He says it's too soon to say what caused the blaze.
Newshub.
