The company earlier said it did not have sprinklers because water would freeze in the coolstore, but national fire commander Mike Hall said, ‘‘I don't find that an acceptable excuse.
‘‘There are lots of technical solutions to that.''
Icepak managing director Wayne Grattan later said coolstores could be equipped with sprinkler systems.
Icepak is under scrutiny following an explosion at its Tamahere coolstores, southeast of Hamilton, which killed Hamilton firefighter Derek Lovell and left seven other firefighters badly injured.
The coolstores were protected by alternative fire protection systems which met industry safety standards, Mr Grattan said.
The company was now reviewing systems at its remaining coolstores in Waharoa, Wanganui and Otaki.
Firefighters said it could be days before they could inspect the burned ruins and begin the inquiry into the explosion, which began with a callout to a privately monitored fire alarm.
Mr Hall said yesterday that there had been no sign of fire when the eight firefighters arrived.
He said some kind of substance was released before the explosion but its type was unknown.
‘‘We won't speculate on that until things are properly examined by properly qualified people,'' Mr Hall said.
He said the incident had raised concerns about the number of industrial properties in areas without reticulated water supplies.
At the scene yesterday, thick black smoke was still billowing into the air and could be seen and smelt from several kilometres away more than 24 hours after the explosion.
Mounds of charred, buckled steel and aluminium were among the few recognisable features left in the coolstore's smouldering remains and large square chunks of yellow cheese could be seen strewn throughout.
Firefighters were sprinkling water over parts of the factory remains yesterday but the incident controller, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Des Irving, of taupo, said there was little more they could do except wait for the fire to burn out.
Mr Irving said he expected the fire would be burning for two days.
Firefighters were concerned by the lack of water - a hazard in most rural areas in New Zealand.
‘‘There's no hydrants, there's no reticulation through here,'' Mr Irving said. ‘‘[If there had been], it would have made water availability easier and possibly the place might have had sprinklers then as well.''
Asked whether that might have prevented the firefighters becoming injured, Mr Irving said, ‘‘I'm not going to go there.
‘‘I wasn't here. I don't know the circumstances.'' - The New Zealand Herald
