Takanini fire: Firefighters remain on site after large blaze
Thursday, 5 December 2019
Firefighters remain on standby at the scene of a large building blaze that broke out in Auckland's Takanini.
About 22 fire trucks from across the city were called to fight the fire, described as 'well-involved', at United Movers on Wednesday evening.
By 7pm, the fire was extinguished.
Fire and Emergency NZ shift manager Craig Dally said one crew remained at the scene as of 6am on Thursday.
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There had been a few fire trucks there overnight but it was 'all quiet' and there had been no flare ups.
Dally said fire investigators had been sent to the scene on Wednesday evening and he suspected they would return on Thursday.
He couldn't say whether the building had a sprinkler system or working smoke alarms.
On Wednesday, Scott Electrical branch manager Dee Townsend said she could see the blaze from her workplace on Great South Rd.
She had heard at least 30 bangs since the blaze began to engulf United Movers. 'There's explosions going off.'
The fire was producing noxious smelling smoke and appeared to have jumped to another building, Townsend said. 'It's black and smells pretty toxic. She looks like she's spread.'
Another witness described the terrifying scenes as towering flames erupted from the business.
Wholesale Motors manager Karan Singh said the fire raged out of control from about 4.45pm for half an hour, but by 5.15pm it appeared to be under control.
'It's a massive fire. Big flames, huge. And loud blast sounds.'
Singh estimated the flames reached heights of 10-15m at the fire's peak.
Auckland Emergency Management asked people to avoid the area if they could. 'Keep doors and windows closed and stay inside to avoid smoke.'
People in the vicinity received a Civil Defence alert about 6.30pm. It advised residents to stay inside, close windows and doors and turn off their air conditioning.
Ben Ross, who lives about 800m from the fire, said there had been a strong taste and smell of smoke in the air.
'If you were outside long enough, you'd start getting minor throat irritation.'
Ross said from his home, he had heard 'some very faint explosions' earlier.