Tragedy in Hamilton Fire

Tragedy in Hamilton fire
Apr 6, 2008 9:48 PM

One of the biggest fires in New Zealand's history is still smouldering.
A shocked Hamilton community is trying to come to terms with the deadly explosion and blaze that has left many reeling.
"You can definitely feel it, in there. Yeah, like in your body, you hear an explosion but you hear it and feel it in this case," recalls eyewitness Ryan Gibbs.
Firefighters were initially called to a fire at the Icepack cool store on Devine Road in the suburb of Tamahere when there were multiple explosions, around 4pm on Saturday afternoon.
Earlier on Saturday evening there was a report of a gas leak and eight firefigters were sent to investigate.
"(I) Saw a fire truck go in there, thought nothing of it, just a bit of a fire. Next minute heard a massive explosion and the whole roof just blew off, probably 10-20 metres in the air - all the tin," says Gibbs.
The firefighters were inside barely two minutes when an enormous fire ball cut a swathe through the warehouse.
"We live probably a kilometre away, and it was a huge explosion that shook the house and the shed we were working in. Items fell off our shelving, it was that loud," says Ross Campbell, eyewitness.
Dozens of engines and 80 firefighters were called in from around the region; locals ran to help; doctors and nurses at the school fair across the road attempted to patch up the wounded.
The fire gained momentum and thick walls started crumpling like paper.
"Whole first two crews that arrived were literally blown up, the building exploded as they come to a stop," says Roy Breeze, Senior Fire Officer.
Huge flames leapt into the sky. After seven hours, the flames are still raging.
By Sunday morning the blaze was still burning.
Black smoke hangs thickly in the air, and the loss of one of their own hangs heavy on those still fighting the blaze.

Our hearts go out to all those brave men and woman who put their lives on the line to ensuring that we all live in a safer community. Especially, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Lovell family and to all those Firefighters who risked thier lives on the job.

If you feel moved to leave your thoughts and feeling based on this incident please do so.