Key Takeaways
- A building fire in Auckland’s Onehunga Mall was brought under control after firefighters responded to the blaze on Sunday night
- The fire emitted bursts of orange flames and large smoke clouds, closing a busy road and prompting police to cordon off the area
- Crews made good progress on the fire, with one or two trucks remaining on site overnight to continue dampening down and monitoring
- The properties on fire were next door to MP Greg Fleming’s electorate office and included a building that was gutted by fire in 2021
- St John had one ambulance stationed at the scene as a precaution, but there were no reports of injuries
Introduction to the Incident
A building fire in Auckland’s Onehunga Mall broke out on Sunday night, emitting bursts of orange flames and large smoke clouds that closed a busy road and prompted a response from firefighters across the city. The fire was reported to Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) just after 8pm, and crews were quickly dispatched to the scene. The fire was located on Onehunga Mall Road, near the intersection with Arthur and Church Streets, and was visible from a distance due to the large amount of smoke and flames.
Firefighting Efforts
Firefighters made good progress on the fire, with FENZ reporting that the blaze was under control by around 10:30pm. Crews were focused on extinguishing hotspots and ensuring that the fire did not spread to neighboring buildings. One or two trucks were expected to remain on site overnight to continue dampening down and monitoring the situation. Despite the progress made, police cordons remained in place on Onehunga Mall between Arthur and Church Streets, and motorists were advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
Scene Description
The properties on fire were located next door to MP Greg Fleming’s electorate office, and included a building that was gutted by fire in 2021. The flames had spread beyond the facade of the earlier-destroyed property and appeared to have taken hold above a Lotto shop superette. The scene was described as chaotic, with large smoke clouds and bursts of orange flames visible from a distance. Firefighters worked from ladders to try and bring the fire under control, and St John had one ambulance stationed at the scene as a precaution.
Response and Precautions
Police were called to assist with the incident, and officers advised those in the area to stay inside and close windows and doors to avoid inhaling smoke. Motorists were also advised to avoid the area and expect delays due to the road closure. The fire was significant enough to prompt a response from firefighters across Auckland, and crews worked quickly to bring the blaze under control. Despite the efforts of the firefighters, the fire still caused significant disruption to the area, with the road closure and police cordons remaining in place for several hours.
Aftermath and Investigation
The cause of the fire is not yet known, and an investigation is likely to be launched to determine the origin of the blaze. The fire is the second to affect the same area in recent years, with a building on the same block being gutted by fire in 2021. The incident highlights the importance of fire safety and the need for building owners and occupants to take precautions to prevent fires from occurring. The fire also underscores the importance of having a well-trained and equipped fire service, as well as the need for effective emergency response plans to be in place in the event of a fire or other disaster.