Auckland SkyCity convention centre fire: Timelapse video shows 44 hours of fire in 40 seconds

Thursday, 24 October 2019

Timelapse video by NIWA of the first 44 hours of fighting the fire.

A timelapse video of the fire which has consumed Auckland's SkyCity Convention Centre for the past two days shows the extent of the damage in just 40 seconds.

Forecasting service NIWA weather posted the footage to Twitter, stating it was filmed from 1.50pm on Tuesday until 9.50am on Thursday.

In the clip plumes of thick black, grey and white smoke can be seen floating away from the roof, as well as flames continually popping up after being doused.

The video compressed a total of 44 hours of firefighting into 40 seconds.

The fire first broke out on Tuesday at 1.10pm, by Thursday morning fire crews said the fire was 'under control' and they were now dampening down hot spots.

* SkyCity blaze: Firefighters move to 'mop up'

* First image shows inside damage

* Use of monsoon buckets not practical**

The cordon around the centre is expected to be there until Friday.

Fire and Emergency NZ teams will remain on site until the fire is completely extinguished and can be handed back to Fletcher Construction, the main contractor for the centre and the Horizon Hotel, which is also under construction and located adjacent to the centre.

SkyCity will be opening the Auckland precinct in a phased approach starting later on Thursday and it was expected they would fully resume normal business hours on Friday.

That includes the Sky Tower, the casino (including VIP and main gaming floor), SkyCity Hotel, SkyCity Grand Hotel, car park and restaurants. SkyCity's corporate offices will reopen next Tuesday.

CEO of SkyCity Entertainment Group, Graeme Stephens, said the focus for the team now was on getting the business reopened and fully operational.

'From the outset, we have shared our vision for the Convention Centre, New Zealand's meeting place for the world, and we will work hard to ensure that it not only opens but provides world-class conference, exhibition and entertainment spaces for Auckland and New Zealand,' Stephens said.