A large blaze is burning in West Auckland, sending smoke over the city. Video / Aayush Gupta
More than a dozen fire crews have contained a major blaze at a vacant warehouse in West Auckland that sent black smoke rising over the city and prompted health warnings from officials.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand were alerted to the fire on Culperry Rd in Glendene around 10am, assistantarea commander Shaun Pilgrim said.
“Crews responded and, on arrival, saw a very well established fire and called for assistance,” Pilgrim said.
Dark smoke could be seen from as far away as Mairangi Bay and Pt Chevalier, where one witness several kilometres away filmed the plume rising from the Glendene industrial precinct.
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said 14 crews - including support crews - fought the blaze.
“People in the vicinity of the fire are advised to keep windows and doors closed if impacted by smoke.
Image 1 of 10: Firefighters from across Auckland have contained a large blaze at a commercial building on Culperry Rd in Glendene around 10am. 28 April 2026. New Zealand Herald photograph by Hayden Woodward.
“The public is also being asked to avoid the area.”
Police said they had staff at the scene helping with traffic management.
Pilgrim said crews had largely contained the fire by around 10.40am but it was unclear what started it.
He described the building as a “total loss”, with part of the building’s roof caving in.
“With the building being unoccupied, the fire had a good amount of time to get well established before it was discovered,” Pilgrim said.
Pilgrim said Auckland Council, Watercare and the relevant health and environmental agencies had been informed of the air pollution and runoff that was entering the stormwater system.
Firefighters used a heavy ladder appliance to attack the fire from above. Photo / Dean Purcell
