Fire crews battle North Shore blaze, smoke seen in West Auckland

A loud bang was heard coming from a North Shore home that has been destroyed by fire. Just moments later, a thick plume of black smoke was seen billowing from the property.

Firefighters battled the blaze in a Birkenhead street on the North Shore about midday.

The fire sent smoke into the air that could be seen in parts of West Auckland.

Damage to the house. Photo / Dean Purcell

Fire and Emergency responded to multiple 111 calls of a residential house fire on Balmain Rd, Chatswood.

Shift manager Josh Pennefather told the Herald that four fire trucks arrived to find a two-storey house “well alight”.

The bulk of the fire was extinguished in 20-30 minutes, crews then worked to dampen hotspots.

A fire investigator will work to determine the cause and origin of the fire, although it is not being treated as suspicious, Pennefather said.

A nearby resident told the Herald they heard a loud bang and then saw thick black smoke billow towards their house down the street.

Photographs show large plumes of smoke rising high in the air.

People on local Facebook pages have reported hearing “lots of sirens”.

Smoke was seen rising from the blaze in Chatswood on Auckland's North Shore. Photo / Hayden Woodward

“So far I’ve seen at least three fire engines, five ambulance vehicles and four police cars along Mokoia Rd,” another local said.

Multiple locals have reported seeing smoke in the sky in Highbury.

Firefighters at the scene on Auckland's North Shore.

Firefighters at the scene. Photo / Dean Purcell

A Herald reporter at the scene said the fire appears to be at the back of the house.

Fire and Emergency have been approached for comment.