Blaze at asbestos-laced Auckland complex

LATEST: A large fire in a complex of industrial buildings being demolished in Penrose, Auckland, may have been deliberately lit.

Fire safety officers say there was no electricity in the old Fletcher factory which once made hardwood.

The complex, part of the Laminex Group, was being demolished but fire safety officer Ray Coleman, said there had been no hot work being done as part of the demolition.

"We are treating it as suspicious and are assisting the police in working their way through it," he told NZPA. "It appears to be more than an accidental fire."

The Fire Service was called to the burning complex in O'Rorke Road about 2am and 23 appliances were used to bring the fire under control.

Mr Coleman said there was asbestos in the factory and all demolition workers, police and firefighters wore wearing protective gear.

"There are monitors set up around the place. It is a low-level risk at this stage," Mr Coleman told NZPA.

- NZPA