Firefighters battle blaze at Auckland flats

Thursday, 16 April 2020

A swift response by Auckland firefighters averted tragedy after an apartment caught alight in the city on Thursday evening.

The blaze erupted in the top-floor flat of the three-storey Kāinga Ora social housing complex in Kepa Rd, Orakei, about 5.30pm.

A witness said black smoke billowed from the windows and flames could be seen as residents fled the building.

Emergency services converged on the scene and fire crews contained the blaze before it could spread to other units.

Fire and Emergency shift manager Daniel Nicholson said three fire trucks were sent to the scene.

All persons had been accounted for, Nicholson said, and a fire investigator had been requested to attend.

An ambulance was on scene but it was not immediately clear if anyone was injured.

Residents remained huddled outside at 6.30pm amid a heavy police presence.

One witness said there were at least 10 police cars in attendance.

There was no word yet on the cause.