A factory in Upper Hutt has been destroyed by a huge fire, which sent plumes of smoke billowing into the air.

It broke out at 7pm last night at Acma Industries - a polyurethane foam manufacturer in Montgomery Crescent - and was under control by 9pm.

At its height, seventeen fire trucks and fifty firefighters fought the blaze.

Chemicals stored at the factory fuelled the fire and prevented fire crews from going inside.

One crew is still at the scene.

Investigators will be back at the factory today to speak to the owner of the building.

Assistant Area Commander for the Fire Service Matthew Abel says there were no sprinklers and it's not clear if there were smoke alarms either.