A massive fire at a wastewater treatment plant in Christchurch is now contained.
Smoke rises from a fire at Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Fire and Emergency were called to the plant in Bromley just after 3pm.
There were contractors working on the roof when the fire broke out. No one was injured and the site was evacuated.
At its peak, nearly 50 firefighters were at the scene. It is expected crews will remain there overnight.
Winds sent smoke in the direction of Christchurch's eastern suburbs and central city. The smoke is expected to linger for the next few hours.
Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Cheryl Brunton advised anyone sensitive to smoke to close doors and windows and stay inside.
The smoke may cause coughing, shortness of breath, or irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.
A council spokesperson said the fire was believed to have started on the roof on the No2 Trickling Filter before jumping across to the roof of the No1 Trickling Filter.
The roofs on both the trickling filters have collapsed.
A large fire has broken out in the east of Christchurch. Photo: RNZ / Conan Young
A witness of the large fire said it was awe-inspiring to watch the iconic building collapse.
Jason Lopas was on his way to work and saw black smoke coming out from the plant.
Lopas said there was a burnt rubber smell in the air even though he is now 5km away from the site.
The wastewater treatment plant serves all of Christchurch City.
Christchurch City Council head of Three Waters and Waste Helen Beaumont said the plant is operating at its usual capacity, but treatment isn't as good as usual.
Beaumont said the trickling filter plant of the plant can be bypassed and the rest of the plant can continue to treat sewage.
That means there's no impact for residents around whether or not they should flush their toilets.
An investigation will look at how the fire started, including what the contractors who were on the roof were doing.
There isn't yet any indication of the cost of the damage