Police say fire inside Auckland Countdown was deliberately lit

May 7, 2021

Some Countdown shoppers in Henderson continued to pay for their items as the flames grew.

A fire at a Countdown in Henderson, Auckland last night was arson, police say.

Shoppers were evacuated after a fire started in one of the aisles, although some still scanned their groceries amid the blaze.

Police say upon their arrival “there was some disorder with local youths who had been “spoken to”.

No one was harmed in the incident.

Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman Paul Raddin said 60 firefighters were at the scene.

Staff could be heard telling customers to evacuate the store.

Countdown has declined to comment to 1 NEWS.

Eyewitness video supplied to 1 NEWS shows flames licking the ceiling in an aisle of the Catherine Street store.

Countdown staff can be seen and heard directing customers to leave the store.

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