SkyCity Convention Centre fire: Flames still visible on Convention Centre roof despite earlier hopes fire would be out by 8pm
Tuesday, 22 October 2019
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has hailed 'incredibly professional' emergency services as firefighters continue to battle a massive blaze at SkyCity Convention Centre more than 24 hours after it broke out.
The prime minister was in Auckland's CBD on Wednesday afternoon, where thick smoke has caused chaos for workers and businesses since the fire started about 1pm on Tuesday.
More than 100 firefighters remained in 'offensive' mode at the scene to fight the blaze, which took hold on the roof of the seven-storey building.
Fire and Emergency NZ told media on Wednesday afternoon it expected the roof – described by one expert as a flammable panel of wood, straw and bitumen – would eventually burn out completely about 8pm. But flames were still visibly flickering on the roof into the night, with FENZ unable to provide a further update.
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Ardern said: 'The team on the ground have been incredibly professional and very, very focused doing what they can to preserve the building.'
She said she wanted to acknowledge FENZ for working under 'some pretty difficult conditions and circumstances'.
'We are all very grateful that this far the focus has been on preserving safety of those working in and around the site.'
She added that Auckland would still host world leaders for the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) conference in 2021.
'APEC in 2021 will still be held in Auckland. There is no question there.'
Ardern was joined by Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff when she visited the site after 3pm.
The prime minister appeared to share a joke with one woman firefighter as they discussed the use of breathing apparatus.
Fire and Emergency NZ earlier said crews would be at the scene for another 24 hours and the biggest risk was the 'integrity of the roof'.
Watercare said it was providing the water being used to put out the fire and about 200 litres of water were being used per second.
Tired firefighters, coated in soot and wearing breathing apparatus, continued to battle the flames.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said he wanted to give them a 'shout out' for their 'amazing resilience and determination'.
Send your pictures and videos of the fire to newstips@stuff.co.nz
'They're doing us proud,' he added.
For anyone being critical of the efforts to fight the fire, he said the FENZ area commander told him it was the 'hardest, toughest' fire he had ever fought.
Four patients were treated for injuries on Wednesday, St John Ambulance confirmed to Stuff.
Three people in a minor condition were treated on the scene, while one was taken to Auckland City Hospital in a moderate condition.
A firefighter taken to Auckland City Hospital on Tuesday night in a serious condition had since been discharged.
FENZ said he had fallen ill, rather than been injured on the site.
Earlier, FENZ shift manager Craig Dally said the exact cause of the fire and how long it would continue to burn for were not yet known.
Crews had been attacking the blaze from an aerial unit, known as a 'snorkel', which looks like a cherry picker.
SkyCity chief executive Graeme Stephens said the fire had been 'devastating' for everyone.
'Everyone worked incredibly hard on this project, I'd been to the site earlier in the day and was excited about the progress – then the fire broke out.'
Ross Taylor, chief executive of Fletcher Building, said the evacuation went smoothly because emergency evacuations had been practiced during the earlier stages of the build.
Taylor said all workers were still being paid and supported.
The neighbouring TVNZ building had been evacuated amid fears the fire may spread.
Meanwhile, Auckland Council's head office in Albert St was being assessed for smoke damage and health and safety for staff.
Commuters were told to avoid the central city if they could on Wednesday morning, with roads still closed and buses diverted.
Auckland Transport said due to road closures in the CBD, buses would be detoured until further notice.
'Please expect significant delays and cancellations to services,' it said.
Road closures in the city included: Wellesley St (west from Victoria to Nelson and between Nelson and Hobson), Nelson St (between Cook and Victoria) and Hobson St (between Victoria & Wellesley).
People were advised to avoid the area or expect delays and diversions.
Auckland Transport said detours were affecting the NX2 22A, 22N, 22R, 221X, 223X, 24B, 24R, 24W, 243X, 248X, 82, 802, 923, 75, 18, 151X, 171X, 172X, 195X, 209, 105, 106, 110, 125X, 129, 132, 132X, 133, 133X, 134 InnerLink and OuterLink bus services. Full details of the changes are here.
The SkyCity carpark was expected to open on Wednesday and customers whose cars were stuck in the carpark on Tuesday night wouldn't be charged for the extra day.
Meanwhile, in the CBD, residents were told to stay inside and close their windows to avoid breathing the dense, black smoke which has been fanned across the city by high winds.
'We urge people to use their common sense and not put themselves in harm's way by standing in smoke plumes or downwind of smoke,' Auckland Emergency Management acting director Sarah Sinclair said.
Thick, choking smoke was enveloping Victoria St on Wednesday morning.
People were advised to see their doctor if smoke had caused shortness of breath or worsening of asthma symptoms.
Otherwise, they could call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free, 24-hour health advice.