Dozens of workers have fled for their lives after a massive fire broke out at the Sky City casino convention centre in downtown Auckland.
The blaze, which started about 11.15am (AEDT) on Tuesday, reportedly ignited when a worker went on a break and left a blowtorch unattended on top of the building.
Within minutes, it had turned into an inferno, sending thick, black smoke into the air above New Zealand’s biggest city.
#EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Firefighters can be seen battling a major blaze at Auckland's SkyCity convention centre, which has sent dark smoke flooding across the city. Flames are visible from the roof of the building, with more than 20 fire crews responding https://t.co/7TNqtXf3Lx pic.twitter.com/MJ2HwQcpuS
— Newshub Features (@NewshubFeatures) October 22, 2019
The $700 million convention centre, which is under construction, is near the centre of the Auckland CBD. The New Zealand Herald says there are unconfirmed reports that sprinklers had not yet been installed in the building.
Workers could be seen fleeing the blaze, which prompted hundreds of calls to emergency services as flames were seen leaping from the roof of the centre.
❗️UPDATE 3: Fire in Auckland CBD
Fire fighting crews wearing breathing apparatus are attending the fire.
20 appliances and 16 specialist and support vehicles are attending the incident including a fire investigator and operations support.
— Fire and Emergency New Zealand (@FireEmergencyNZ) October 22, 2019
Fire authorities sent more than 100 firefighters and nearly 40 vehicles to the scene, including an aerial appliance from Hamilton (100 kilometres south of Auckland).
Despite that, the fire was still not under control nearly two hours after it was first reported.
Several city streets have been closed and Aucklanders have been urged to avoid the CBD or expect major delays.
The fight to control the blaze has been complicated by up to 70km/h winds across the city on Tuesday. New Zealand’s weather bureau said the winds are forecast to strengthen later in the day.
#skycity on fire pic.twitter.com/0KNIfyMdld
— Laurence Metry (@LaurenceMetry) October 22, 2019
In an early afternoon statement, Sky City said everyone had been evacuated from the building and there were no reported injuries. However, the blaze was still not under control.
“We do not know the source of the fire at this stage,” a spokeswoman said.
Watching fire at convention centre near sky city. Can see actual orange flames. pic.twitter.com/df86ppVokw
— Leilani (@le1lan1) October 22, 2019
-more to come
-with AAP
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