Firefighters are battling an "absolutely massive" blaze at a wrecking yard in the Auckland suburb of Papakura, with clouds of thick, black smoke pouring from the premises.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) responded to a report that multiple vehicles were ablaze at a scrap metal dealer, Global Metal Solutions, on Hunua Road in the south Auckland suburb, a spokesperson confirmed to Newshub. The flames quickly escalated to a level-three-alarm fire.
Ten appliances are battling the 25-by-15-metre blaze, as well as two from the air, the FENZ spokesperson said.
Local residents in the Papakura area are being asked to stay indoors due to the large amount of smoke, a police spokesperson said in a statement at 9:20am.
Emergency alerts have also been sent to phones in the vicinity of the blaze, urging locals to avoid the smoke as much as possible.
"Close all windows and doors, put air-conditioning on to re-circulate. If you are feeling unwell call the Healthline [on] 0800 611 116," said the alert.
Lee Clough, a worker at the neighbouring business Superior Doors, told Newshub the fire was "absolutely massive".
"We can see massive flames and black smoke. It's just absolutely massive now," she said.
According to Clough, the flames began shortly after 8am, but quickly escalated.
"It started off with one fire, and now it's gone to two," she said.
"We're keeping an eye on it - we may get evacuated, but we're not sure.
"One of [our workers] noticed the big, black smoke and it's gone crazy since then."
The police spokesperson confirmed that emergency services are currently at the scene of the blaze.
"A section of Hunua Road is currently closed between Boundary Road and Settlement Road. Diversions are in place and police is assisting with traffic management."
