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The heroes on the roof: Firefighters scale the SkyCity Convention Centre through thick black smoke toward huge flames

Tuesday, 22 October 2019

A major fire at Auckland's SkyCity Convention Centre cast a think pall of smoke over central Auckland.

Dramatic images show the huge task Auckland firefighters face as they race to get control of a fire in the middle of Auckland's city.

Several lone firefighters were spotted scaling the roof of the under construction SkyCity convention centre, walking into thick black smoke to reach the flames. 

A firefighter at the scene said 'all smoke is toxic' and advised bystanders to leave the area, to avoid inhaling smoke. 

Firefighters battle the blaze at the building site of Auckland
Firefighters battle the blaze at the building site of Auckland's SkyCity Convention Centre.

The acrid smell of smoke is strong on Hobson St and Victoria St West, a Stuff reporter at the scene said.

A lone firefighter with portable extinguisher battles the blaze.
A lone firefighter with portable extinguisher battles the blaze.

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Firefighters fight to put out a fire on the roof of the Sky City Convention Centre.
Firefighters fight to put out a fire on the roof of the Sky City Convention Centre.
Firefighters can be spotted among the black, billowing smoke in Auckland
Firefighters can be spotted among the black, billowing smoke in Auckland's CBD.
Firefighters on the roof of the convention centre are battling flames that keep spreading.
Firefighters on the roof of the convention centre are battling flames that keep spreading.
Heavy smoke and flames.
Heavy smoke and flames.
Angry flames on the roof at the SkyCity Convention Centre building site.
Angry flames on the roof at the SkyCity Convention Centre building site.
Two firefighters are battling the massive fire in Auckland
Two firefighters are battling the massive fire in Auckland's CBD.
Firefighters can be seen scattered around parts of Auckland
Firefighters can be seen scattered around parts of Auckland's CBD after a massive fire sparked up.
Dramatic photo shows a firefighter racing to put out massive flames in Auckland
Dramatic photo shows a firefighter racing to put out massive flames in Auckland's CBD.
A bird
A bird's eye view of the SkyCity Convention Centre construction site shows orange flames licking at the roof.

* Live: SkyCity Convention Centre on fire

* Live: SkyCity Auckland Convention Centre fire

* People advised to stay out of CBD as blaze rages on

* Auckland fire causes gridlock

* Auckland SkyCity Convention Centre new build: What we know

* First look: inside NZ's largest convention centre construction in Auckland**

The major fire broke out at the construction site on Tuesday afternoon.

A worker believed a torch used to heat and seal waterproofing material had started the fire on the roof.

At least 23 fire trucks were at the scene and an aerial appliance had been dispatched from Hamilton.