Fire at downtown Auckland building, multiple crews attend

A fire in a downtown Auckland building started on a floor during asbestos removal, and investigations are continuing into what started the blaze.

Smoke was seen billowing out of the seven-storey ClearPoint building on Fanshawe St this morning.

Northern Fire Communications spokeswoman Megan Ruru said the fire started on the building's fourth floor where "asbestos removal was taking place", then spread to the sixth floor.

Firefighters "had to be on rotation to prevent contamination".

Ruru said 14 fire trucks and 60 firefighters were at the scene.

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"Once we finish our investigation it will be passed on to Auckland Council."

Police said they were satisfied the fire was not suspicious and was believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.

Fire crews worked to secure the building facade.

Those inside the building this morning were evacuated while fire engines from across Auckland converged on the burning tower.

Witnesses reported seeing plumes of smoke pouring out from the burning building's roof.

"There's a whole lot of smoke coming out of the top of the building. All the office staff are outside. They have all been evacuated," said worker Laura.

A small fire has broken out at our Auckland office. Our team have safely exited the building and the fire service is attending. More soon

— ClearPoint (@clearpointnz) May 25, 2017

As well as large numbers of firefighters, a number of police and an ambulance were at the cordoned-off building where it is understood maintenance work was being done on an upper floor.

Fire service at the scene. Photo / Doug Sherring

Witness Reid Quinlan, who was working in an office tower near the blaze, said he could see smoke pouring out of an air conditioning duct on the roof.

Smoke seen coming out of the building in downtown Auckland. Photo / Supplied via Reid Quinlan

"It came out in a rush at the start but seems to be dying down now," said Quinlan.

Another witness reported hearing "quite an explosion".

Following a building fire on Fanshawe St prior to Nelson St, the bus lane and left lane city-bnd are blocked by Emergency Crews ^SK

— Auckland Transport (@AklTransport) May 26, 2017

The company confirmed on Twitter that a "small fire" had broken out in the building.

"Our team have safely exited the building and the fire service is attending."

People from inside the building had assembled on the footpath.

Fire service at the scene. Photo / Supplied via Karerina Burley

Auckland Police said the fire broke out just before 11.10am.