A fire fighter has been hospitalised during a long battle with a blaze at a Waikato meat processing works.
Fire crews were called out to a mill at the Affco rendering plant at Horotiu about 10.30am, northern fire communications shift manager Colin Underdown said.
Ngaruawahia senior station officer Karl Lapwood said a experienced female operational support officer, whose son was also part of the crew tackling the flames, overheated in the sizzling conditions.
"She was out in the hot sun in her uniform and it looks like it might've got to her," Mr Lapwood said.
An ambulance was called as a precaution and she was taken to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition with suspected low blood pressure.
Colleagues said her condition was listed as stable this afternoon.
Mr Lapwood who was onsite for nearly six hours said it was "potentially serious" situation.
The fire had taken hold of one of the "dry units" used for blood and bone rendering and there was only limited access to target the heart of the blaze.
Four appliances from Hamilton and Ngaruawahia were sent to the scene.
NZME.
