Author: Catherine Barker-Sheard

Well, we got off fairly lightly yesterday cos of the wind direction. But woke this morning to a very smoky house, despite all the windows being closed up tight. I had a nasty headache by 10am and, 5 Panadol in 2 hours later, headed home leaving my staff to battle it out. I felt bad leaving them, but was barely coherent.

It’s incredibly quiet in the streets, like living in a ghost town.

So how is it going? Here’s some “highlights” from the media releases:

Patea residents can expect to receive information tomorrow about what they can do to minimise risks of asbestos contamination as a fire at the derelict freezing works site continues to smoulder at the southern approach to the town.

We will not know the true level of risk till Monday when we expect to reserve results of testing for the presence of asbestos in the town.

“People should remain indoors where possible and keep doors and windows closed. It’s important that children be kept away from any dusty areas that may contain soot and debris from the fire.”

Mayor Dunlop said the Council would have two farm effluent irrigators sprinkling water from the Patea River on debris at the Freezing Works site tomorrow. “By keeping the site damp we can minimise the risk of wind carrying any contamination towards the town or other areas. And the Regional Council is investigating options that may be available to keep the site safe from wind longer term, while we assess the best ways to permanently clear all traces of the fire damaged buildings.”

The disused freezing works in town caught fire last night. There is a lot of asbestos in the buildings so it is quite dangerous, and masses of acrid smoke. They evacuated everyone who lives near it during the night.

Today they are evacuating up to 300 more people whose houses are in the ‘smoke zones’. All the shops are closed, and the day’s big Waitangi Day party in the park has been cancelled.
Those of us not being evacuated have to stay indoors for up to 3 days with all doors and windows closed. My husband is out on the ambulance helping to evacuate the rest home first, then individuals with medical issues.

Mum and I have battened down the hatches – doors and windows closed, extra water in saucepans… I keep a civil emergency kit anyway, so we have food, medicines, disinfectant and so on.

It’s been a busy morning though; because I work for Council lots of people are ringing me trying to find out what is happening and what they should do.

My only real concerns are: our 4 cockatiels and 2 Galahs in the outside aviary, I’m watching the smoke and will bring them inside if I need to. And Mum – she’s 83 and has serious health problems, so is probably quite susceptible.

All good though, we’re safe and sound.