A small fire in a steel drum on a visiting grain vessel at Port Taranaki this morning was extinguished and full port operations were resumed.
Port Taranaki chief operating officer Alex Park said as is regular procedure for unloading grain vessels, fumigant sleeves to control pests in the vessel’s hold were placed in a steel drum for removal.
“Although investigations are ongoing, it is believed the drum may have been damp, which can cause the sleeves to warm and combust,” Mr Park said.
“All port emergency procedures were followed, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand [FENZ] was called to attend, with the fire quickly extinguished.
“As the sleeves contain caustic ingredients, which let off fumes when on fire, FENZ carried out decontamination of the drum," he said.
There were no injuries or any damage to port or vessel equipment.
During the incident, operations on Moturoa Wharf were halted, with full port operations resuming at 9am.
