Manufacturers and wholesalers of traditional Italian products, company owners Vito Iannece and Penny Dawson were stunned yesterday after receiving a telephone call about 3am to say the factory was on fire.
"We're still in shock. We've been in this [business] 22 years and this is the first time we've had a major catastrophe."
Fire safety officer Mike Cahill, of Invercargill, said the fire, which started on the rear exterior of the building, was being treated as suspicious and had been handed over to the Dunedin CIB to investigate.
About 20% of the building was damaged, although smoke went through the entire place, he said.
"It was a very good save considering the material of the building - foam sandwich panel."
Mr Iannece said the rear wall of the building, on to which its freezers and chillers backed, had "melted".
Air-conditioning units mounted on the back wall were also destroyed.
The pair did not yet know the cost of the damage, but it would shut them down for a week while they assessed the situation, he said.
Yesterday, they began cleaning up and recovering stock.
Neighbouring businesses with refrigeration had offered to store their product in the meantime, he said.
Electricians, plumbers and cleaners had all pitched in to help.
"We've got an amazing team helping."
Once the equipment had dried out, they would determine what was still working and usable, he said.
Pasta D'Oro employs 15 staff.
