SkyCity convention centre fire leads to evacuations, road closure in Auckland CBD

October 22, 2019

I NEWS reporter Kim Baker Wilson has this update.

Relive 1 NEWS Now's live updates as the SkyCity precinct in central Auckland has been evacuated due to a fire at the International Convention Centre building site in the city.

  • The fire broke out on the roof of the building just after 1pm.
  • The blaze has continued to travel down through the building.
  • Road closures are set to affect rush hour travel in and out of Auckland CBD in the morning.
  • 8:20pm:  A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson has told RNZ there are fears the roof of the convention centre might collapse during the night.

    7:55pm:  As night falls smoke can still be seen pouring from the roof of the under construction convention centre.

    It looks like being a long night ahead for firefighters as they continue to try and extinguish the blaze.

    7:40pm:  Reports of another fire on the 15th floor of a nearby apartment building has seen fire fighting resources stretched even further.

    Residents of Albert Street's Barclay Suites have been evacuated while the potential fire is investigated.

    7:35pm:  Phil Twyford has labelled the SkyCity convention centre fire a 'significant setback' for the beleaguered project.

    7:10pm:  Astonishing timelapse footage of the fire has been released by NIWA.

    6:45pm:  A Civil Defence emergency alert has just been sent out to cellphones warning Auckland CBD residents about smoke inhalation from the convention centre fire.

    6:20pm:  Watch 1 NEWS' 6pm report on the fire in the video below for the latest updates.

    Thick black smoke billowed from the Auckland CBD site on October 22.

    5:35pm:  A haze of smoke is wafting over the city, blanketing Queen St and blocking out the sun as the fire continues to burn.

    Auckland Regional Public Health Services have issued a warning over smoke inhalation.

    5:15pm:  More fire engines continue to arrive at the scene of the fire as Fire and Emergency NZ pile more resources into tackling the blaze. 

    Earlier coverage of the fire - including videos - can be found at this link.

    5:05pm:  Latest images from the scene of the fire near the Sky Tower.

    Smoke billows from the convention centre construction site.
    Emergency services attend scene of convention centre fire.

    4:55pm:  Some good news for motorists commuting home.

    4:45pm:  A public health alert has been issued to people living and working in Auckland's CBD to take precautionary measures due to smoke in the area.

    4:40pm:  A snapshot of Auckland CBD traffic reveals heavy congestion.

    4:25pm: 

    4:15pm: In a statement from SkyCity they say: "Due to the smoke from the NZICC fire, we have made the decision to undertake a controlled evacuation of the full SkyCity Auckland precinct.

    "This includes the Sky Tower, Casino, all SkyCity Hotels and restaurants and corporate offices. Police are on precinct and are available to assist with evacuations if or where necessary.

    "Customers who were intending to visit SkyCity venues (including Federal St) this evening should make alternative arrangements and we apologise for any inconvenience.

    "The safety of our staff and customers remains our priority. We will update with further information as it comes to hand."

    Smoke from the fire can be seen across the city and a massive Fire and Emergency NZ response has seen roads around the Sky Tower closed to the public.

    4:05pm:  One person is in hospital in serious condition after the fire.

    4:00pm: Dave Woon, Assistant Area Commander for Fire and Emergency NZ Auckland, gave an update on the situation just after 3:30pm.

    "The fire is burning on the 7th floor and has spread down to the 6th floor. Firefighters are battling the blaze inside the building and are using breathing apparatuses to combat smoke inhalation.

    "It is a large fire involving gas cylinders that started around the roof and guttering area and there is insulation on fire that appears to be straw making it a very challenging fire to extinguish.

    "We are not yet on top of the fire but should be able to make progress with resources that have arrived," Mr Woon says.

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