SkyCity Convention Centre fire: Firefighter billboard thanks Aucklanders for their support

Saturday, 26 October 2019

Smoke pours into the damaged SkyCity convention centre from above before a flare up takes hold of the collapsed ceiling on Thursday. (First published in October, 2019)

As firefighters remain at the scene of the SkyCity fire into the fifth day, Fire and Emergency NZ has erected a billboard thanking Aucklanders for their generosity and support.

A massive fire engulfed the SkyCity Convention Centre roof on Tuesday afternoon, bringing Auckland's CBD to a screeching halt.

Aucklanders rallied – inundating the central Auckland fire station with free food, so much so they had to ask the public to stop. Restaurants also got on board, fuelling weary firefighters dealing with the inferno for free.

Fire and Emergency NZ erected a billboard at Victoria Park thanking Aucklanders for their support during the SkyCity fire.

Now, with the fire contained, emergency services are paying it forward. FENZ took out a billboard across a bridge at Victoria Park, thanking residents for their role.

The blaze broke out on the roof of the convention centre on Tuesday.

* SkyCity Convention Centre fire: How firefighters fought and managed the Auckland blaze

* The Detail: Salvaging the SkyCity convention centre will be a monumental task

* SkyCity fire: The Japanese restaurant that became a sanctuary for weary firefighters**

Earlier, FENZ gave a 'special shout-out' to its firefighters' 'amazing whānau' and the employers of the volunteers called in to help battle the blaze.

About 140 firefighters were on at the scene at the height of the blaze, with dozens still there on Saturday.

Aerial crews responded from as far afield as Hamilton to assist, pulling long shifts in abysmal conditions, including a hail storm and cold westerly blasts of wind.

In a video posted to social media, dozens of firefighters shared stories of the support they received, amongst a bunch of smiles and people giving the 'thumbs up'.

Hundreds of firefighters cycled in and off shift in the days following the fire.

One said a 'cute little child' and her mum dropped off cupcakes with strawberries on top when they were 'absolutely famished'.

'[I] was so proud to see them out there doing it for us. I really thank you Auckland.'

Another said workers from a local sushi shop had dropped food to them as business was quiet.

At the end of the video, assistant area commander Mike Shaw thanked Aucklanders for their patience and support 'during what's been a very arduous time for us'.

'We're very humbled by what we received, and just want to say thanks.'

The fire was finally contained on Thursday, but crews remained there on Saturday morning.