Auckland SkyCity Convention Centre fire: Photos capture moments the CBD stood still
Tuesday, 22 October 2019
Mayor Phil Goff speaks to media at Hobson St after a massive fire broke out in Auckland's CBD.
Photos taken by Stuff's visual journalists capture the magnitude of the SkyCity Convention Centre fire which started about 1pm on Tuesday.
The fire, which fire crews called extremely challenging, saw black smoke billowing across the city.
A number of roads were closed and a person was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
A rainbow shines through, despite thick smoke plaguing the city.SkyCity Hotel guest Rena Dudman, from Hamilton, had to relocate after a major fire. She said hotel staff helped her to find a new place to stay.A major fire at Auckland's SkyCity Convention Centre cast a think pall of smoke over central Auckland.
About 100 firefighters were on the scene, Fire and Emergency NZ said.
The fire gives off an orange glow as night falls at the construction site.Acrid smoke was blanketing much of the city.Pedestrians protect themselves from inhaling toxic fumes.Fire and police officers work together on Hobson St.The fire started on the roof.Scenes from the other side of the bridge on the northern motorway.Firefighters dwarfed by the size of the fire.People whose cars were behind the cordon were contemplating finding another way home.Flames could be seen as far as the Auckland Harbour Bridge.Firefighters took to the skies in a cherry picker.Pedestrians covered their faces with scarves to protect themselves from the smoke.Smoke from the fire could be seen from neighbouring suburbs.FENZ Te Hiku area commander Dave Woon said there would not be enough resources in the region should there be another significant fire.About 100 firefighters were on the scene.People gather to take photos of the moment the city stood still.Jets of water are sprayed onto the flames.A FENZ station officer and assistant area commissioner guide a hose onto the multi-storey fire.Multiple road closures in the heart of the city have left people stranded with their cars trapped within cordons.Pedestrians wear masks to protect themselves from the smoke.Firefighters take a break from battling the blaze.Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust pilot Norman McDonald on board Westpac 2 with the smoke billowing from SkyCity below.Black smoke mingles with white clouds.Photos from above show the magnitude of the fire at the SkyCity Convention Centre.
