Fire ravages West Coast sawmill

LATEST: A sawmill fire on the West Coast is now under control but most of the building has been lost.

Fire communications acting shift manager Lyn Crosson said two fire engines remained at the Stillwater Lumber mill at Stillwater, 15km north east of Greymouth, to keep an eye on things and dampen down hot spots.

At its peak five fire crews from four areas fought the blaze, which was reported shortly after 1am today.

Ms Crosson said nobody had been in danger but only about 25 percent of the building was still standing.

Brunner Fire Brigade chief Robert Lunn said around 30 firefighters from the five different brigades spent six hours battling the flames.

"She was pretty serious," he said.

The head rig and four-sided band saw had been completely destroyed in the blaze.

However the firefighters saved three other structures.

"Given the intensity of the fire it was a real good save," Mr Lunn said.

He said the sawmill would be shut down for a while but the production unit survived sufficiently unscathed and should be able to remain open.

A fire safety officer was expected to arrive around midday to investigate the cause.

- with MICHAEL FOX, Stuff.co.nz

- NZPA