Emergency services are responding to a large blaze at a lodge in the Central Auckland suburb of Parnell that is billowing smoke across the city this afternoon.
Police have arrested one person after a “disorder” incident at the same address.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) spokesperson said crews were alerted to the fire shortly after 4.30pm.
“There are 10 fire trucks, alongside support vehicles, working to bring the well-involved fire under control.”
An employee at backpacker hostel City Garden Lodge confirmed the fire was unfolding at its premises.
When contacted by the Herald, the employee said they were speaking with police and could not provide any further comment.
The public are being asked to avoid the area.
A witness told the Herald flames appeared to be about “20 feet [6m] high”.
A police spokesperson said they had been notified of the “well-involved building fire” on St Georges Bay Rd.
“Fire and Emergency crews are working to contain the fire and police are assisting with traffic management.”
Police said there are no immediate concerns about anyone remaining in the building.
A resident on St Georges Bay Rd told the Herald the fire appeared to have occurred at a backpackers’ hostel.
“It is absolute chaos here. There is thick smoke all over the street … we went outside but were told to go back in because we couldn’t breathe,” they said.
The resident said they saw people fighting outside the address that was on fire and one person was arrested.
Police said there was a report of a disorder incident at the address and confirmed one person was taken into custody.
Another witness said they were walking up the street and saw “massive amounts of fire” pouring through the house.
“There was lots of smoke, and the fire just kept getting bigger and bigger.”
The witness said they saw police take one person away from the scene.
A reporter at the scene said they were standing on Saint Georges Bay Rd and could see flames “shooting right up past the chimney and rooftop” of a house.
“[There is] a massive plume of smoke streaming right across the main street through Parnell.”
She said there were a significant amount of emergency vehicles in attendance, blocking off Saint Georges Bay Rd.
“I haven’t seen flames that big in the central city before.”
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