SkyCity Auckland fire: Why is the smoke thick, black and toxic?
Wednesday, 23 October 2019
The thick, black smoke billowing from the the SkyCity Auckland Convention Centre fire has been deemed toxic by emergency services, with people warned to avoid the area, if possible. But why was it black and so toxic?
The colour of the smoke was dependent on the fuel that was burning and the heat of the blaze. The hotter the fire was, the darker the smoke it produced, as the fuel was being converted into elemental carbon, forming light-absorbing particles, according to Slate.
This fire, located on the roof of the under-construction building, was being fuelled by straw-like material sandwiched between the waterproof roof and plywood ceiling, according to FENZ area commander Geoff Purcell.
Send your pictures and videos of the fire to newstips@stuff.co.nz.
**READ MORE:
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* Auckland SkyCity Convention Centre new build: What we know
* First look: inside NZ's largest convention centre construction in Auckland
* Construction site has seen big delays
* SkyCity fire: Photos show moments CBD stood still**
Electrician Lindsay Rowlands, who was working on the floor below when it erupted, said it was understood a blow-torch-type tool was being used on a rubber waterproofing membrane.
The colour of the smoke generally provided firefighters with an idea of what kind of blaze they were battling. Black smoke, produced by the burning of man-made materials, could be very volatile, RedZone explained.
In comparison, lighter, white smoke was formed by less-pure forms of carbon and was influenced by the water in the air, Slate explained. For example, grass fires would usually emit white smoke.
Black smoke was still visible from the scene on Wednesday morning, as firefighters continued to battle the blaze. People were still being warned to stay away from the Auckland SkyCity Convention Centre fire site and out of the smoke.
The major fire broke out at the convention centre about 1.10pm on Tuesday.
SMELT LIKE 'BURNING PLASTIC'
The smoke has affected Aucklanders living in the city near the blaze, with several reportedly waking up feeling ill inside smokey apartments.
'When I got home last night there was this really strong smell inside my place, like burning plastic, from the fire,' said Michelle Wilson, a 23-year-old shop assistant living on Albert St.
'I got used to it overnight, but when I woke up I felt quite ill.'
German backpacker Lisa Fischer, also staying on Albert St, said she felt 'a bit queasy' inside the apartment she was couch surfing at and planned to leave the city today.
One person wrote on social media the smoke smelt like 'cheap fireworks and treated timber … but it's waxy and acrid on the tongue in equal measure. Hurts the nose'.
NO SMOKE-RELATED HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS
On Wednesday morning, an Auckland District Health Board spokeswoman said there had been no hospital admissions due to smoke inhalation overnight.
Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) issued a public health alert on Tuesday and advised members of the public to stay away from the CBD and out of the smoke, keep windows closed, shut down external ventilation if smoke is being drawn into your building.
On Tuesday evening, a Stuff reporter at the scene said smoke was lingering in the inner city streets as the wind died down and people were using handkerchiefs or coughing against the fumes.
Police officers wearing dust masks were directing traffic and turning around a stream of vehicles at intersections around the cordon, which now includes the entirety of the SkyCity complex.
Food preparation areas and cooking surfaces in areas affected the smoke should also be wiped down.
A text alert from Fire and Emergency advised residents on Tuesday to stay out of the area to avoid the 'very smokey' fire.
'Stay out of the smoke, close windows and doors, turn off air conditioning,' the alert read.
The air quality in one Aucklander's apartment was identified to be 'very poor' at 7.17am Wednesday morning, according to their Dyson purifier data. A screenshot of the reading was shared on Twitter.
People who smoke, the elderly, children and those with heart disease, asthma or lung conditions are at greatest risk of harm from smoke inhalation and should avoid exposure.
ARPHS said if the smoke had caused shortness of breath or worsening of asthma symptoms to see a doctor.
If you have health concerns, call Healthline at 0800 611 116 or seek medical assistance.