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Michael Bradley
Emergency services were called to the fire at the Verkerks factory on Vagues Rd in Papanui around 12:27 am Tuesday. (File photo).
Fire crews were kept busy fighting a large fire, which broke out at a Christchurch factory overnight.
Emergency services were called to the fire at Verkerks on Vagues Rd in Papanui around 12:27 am Tuesday. The family business, which started in Christchurch decades ago, is known for its variety of salami and other cold cuts.
New Zealand Fire and Emergencies spokesman Andrew Norris said a security guard discovered a large fire in the back of a large refrigeration store and alerted emergency services.
A third alarm was raised and six crews, a command unit and a revolving ladder attended.
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Crews contained the fire to the cold room and put it out at 3 a.m.
It is understood that no one was injured and no other property was damaged by the fire.
Norris said the fire was not being treated as a suspect, but a fire investigator would likely examine the scene early Tuesday morning to determine the cause.
A team remained at the site on hold just before 7 a.m., he said.
Dutch immigrant Aalt Verkerk founded the Christchurch butcher shop in the 1950s and made it a leading meat and small products company.
Prior to Aalt’s death in 2012, he appointed a team to take over the operational management of the company with Verkerk’s daughter Mary-Anne serving as CEO and brand ambassador.
