One of the biggest fires in New Zealand's history is still smouldering.
A shocked Hamilton community is trying to come to terms with the deadly explosion and blaze that has left many reeling.
"You can definitely feel it, in there. Yeah, like in your body, you hear an explosion but you hear it and feel it in this case," recalls eyewitness Ryan Gibbs.
Firefighters were initially called to a fire at the Icepack cool store on Devine Road in the suburb of Tamahere when there were multiple explosions, around 4pm on Saturday afternoon.
Earlier on Saturday evening there was a report of a gas leak and eight firefigters were sent to investigate.
"(I) Saw a fire truck go in there, thought nothing of it, just a bit of a fire. Next minute heard a massive explosion and the whole roof just blew off, probably 10-20 metres in the air - all the tin," says Gibbs.
The firefighters were inside barely two minutes when an enormous fire ball cut a swathe through the warehouse.
"We live probably a kilometre away, and it was a huge explosion that shook the house and the shed we were working in. Items fell off our shelving, it was that loud," says Ross Campbell, eyewitness.
Dozens of engines and 80 firefighters were called in from around the region; locals ran to help; doctors and nurses at the school fair across the road attempted to patch up the wounded.
The fire gained momentum and thick walls started crumpling like paper.
"Whole first two crews that arrived were literally blown up, the building exploded as they come to a stop," says Roy Breeze, Senior Fire Officer.
Huge flames leapt into the sky. After seven hours, the flames are still raging.
By Sunday morning the blaze was still burning.
Black smoke hangs thickly in the air, and the loss of one of their own hangs heavy on those still fighting the blaze.
"A national disaster"
Firefighters are mourning the loss of a well known and respected colleague after a huge fire in East Hamilton.
Firefighters were initially called to a fire at the 'Ice-pack' cool store on Devine Road in the suburb of Tamahere when there were multiple explosions, around 4pm on Saturday afternoon.
Senior Station Officer Derek Lovell, a 25-year veteran of the Fire Service, died from his injuries after being caught in a massive explosion.
Lovell was one of eight firefighters who initially responded to an alarm at the facility.
The seven other officers were also injured in the blaze - one is now in Middlemore Hospital's Burns and Plastics Unit, while five others remain in Waikato Hospital. One was allowed home on Saturday night.
Hamilton fire crews are being stood down for the day in order to deal with the aftermath of the explosion, replaced by teams from Auckland and Rotorua.
Hamilton's Deputy Mayor Clint Baddeley says the death has sent shock waves through the tight-knit community.
He says the size of the fire and the effects on fire staff will stay with them for some time.
Flags are being lowered to half mast at fire stations up and down the country, as a mark of respect for Lovell.
Waikato Hospital also mourns Lovell. He was well known and well liked amongst both medical and emergency staff.
Manager Hayley McConnell says his death has been a traumatic event for everyone involved.
Meanwhile, a director of Icepak Coolstores is calling Lovell's death 'a grave concern'.
For more than 25 years Lovell was a senior station officer that colleagues say would never let you down.
A keen hunter and fisherman, Lovell spent time outside of the station with his workmates. Some say they could not help but think things might have been different if they had been there.
"The reason I feel guilty is that I couldn't help him this time, and I'm not quite sure how to get around that," says Blair Fothergill, Senior Firefighter.
Twenty-nine-year-old Cameron Grylls was driving the fire truck and he was the only man left standing when the building blew.
"I found Derek, he was standing really close to me at the time of the explosion. He'd been blown back a fair distance and I found him to be unresponsive so started CPR on him," says Grylls.
Grylls, the youngest member of Redwatch, tried to save his mate. His actions praised by his seniors.
The Fireservice says Lovell's death is a national disaster.