A fire has broken out in central Auckland on Tuesday morning, with dark smoke billowing into the sky over central suburbs.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand shift manager Josh Pennefather told Newshub they received multiple calls about a house on fire on Maungawhau Road, Epsom, about 10.30am.
Police were called too, just after 10.30am, and are at the scene diverting traffic.
Five fire trucks were sent to the scene, and on arrival Pennefather said the fire was "well involved.
He said nobody was inside the house at the time.
Stuff reported a neighbour said she saw the flames engulf the house, with the occupants yelling "help, help, help!"
Firefighters are currently working to bring the fire under control, while a heavy police presence remains in the area.
Pennefather said FENZ are not treating the blaze as suspicious at this stage.
Senior station officer Colin Wright told Newshub the owner-occupant of the house believes the fire came from the laundry area of the house.
Fire investigators are on the way to the scene to determine the actual cause.
Tāmaki Makaurau locals earlier said on social media the blaze was near Khyber Pass Road, Grafton.
More to come.
Smoke could be seen from kilometres away on Te Raki Paewhenua/The North Shore.
Five fire trucks and about 20 firefighters are on the scene.
Police are in the area helping with traffic diversions.
The fire broke out on Maungawhau Road, in Epsom, at about 10.30am.
Thick smoke could be seen on Tuesday morning across Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland.
