Blaze Investigated

UP IN SMOKE: Firefighters worked to successfully save much of the structure at the rear of the premises. 157061A

By Dean Taylor

Police and the Fire Service are investigating the cause of a blaze, believed to have been deliberately set, which all but destroyed the premises of Bain Liquid’s Disposal in the early hours of Friday morning.

The buildings were well alight by the time the alarm was raised at about 1.30am. Te Awamutu called for backup from Cambridge to help bring the fire under control. Pirongia Fire Force also assisted with their tanker.

Business owner Bruce Bain is impressed by the firefighters and people of the town. He says firefighters saved what they could in difficult circumstances, and everyone else has been helpful and sympathetic.

The iconic building started life in 1904 as the Hairini Dairy Factory. Production ceased in 1963, then in 1968 is became the Dee Cee soft drink factory. Bain Liquid’s Disposal purchased the building in 1986.

It was almost work as usual for part of the business at least on Friday. Mr Bain says only the forklift was burnt, so once replacement keys for the trucks were procured, they were on the road servicing clients. He and his five staff may have had no offices or smoko room, but that didn’t stop then from working. The serious damage was done to the fallow refining plant.

But Mr Bain says they will be back. He says the company will rebuild on site because that is where they have all their consents to operate. He says it would be great to be able to build in the same style.

“It doesn’t seem right not to have the blue building on the landscape,” he says.

Anyone near the factory late Thursday night or early Friday morning, who may be of assistance to the investigation, should contact detective constable Bernadette Kelly (872 0111).

The front offices and fallow refining plant were destroyed. 157061A/BD