5:15pm update:
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) spokesperson Simon Lyford says two appliances will remain at Nelson Pine Industries for another hour to ensure the fire is extinguished and there are no hotspots.
He says no injuries were reported, and the exact size of the blaze is unknown.
Nelson Pine Industries executive director says the fire affected one of the medium density fibreboard (MDF) press lines, and a full assessment will be undertaken to determine the cause.
"Most part of the plant continued to run as normal, only the affected area was evacuated," he says.
"We have fire suppression systems and sprinkler systems which worked exceptionally well."
EARLIER:
A fire at Nelson Pine Industries’ Richmond plant on Lower Queen St has drawn six fire appliances and emergency services crews to the scene.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) spokesperson Simon Lyford says they were alerted to the blaze just before 2pm on Wednesday and crews arrived to a “well involved” fire.
“Crews have made access and the fire sprinklers have operated and are doing their job… crews are working to make sure [the fire] is extinguished,” he told Top South Now at 2.45pm.
Appliances from Richmond, Stoke and Nelson are in attendance.
Police are also in attendance on Lower Queen St, assisting FENZ with traffic management.
“The road is closed between Swamp Rd and McShane Rd. Members of the public are advised to avoid the area,” a police spokesperson says.
