Favona fire: Thick smoke billowing from building, residents told to keep windows, doors closed

Favona residents were told to keep their doors and windows closed this morning as thick smoke billowed from a building blaze in the Auckland suburb.

Thick smoke was seen billowing into the air above the premises in Titi St. The blaze began at a car wrecker’s yard.

Assistant Commander Phil Larcombe said the fire has now been extinguished.

“Our crews did a fantastic job to quickly contain, control and then extinguish the fire,” he says.

“Crews will remain on site dampening down hotspots for the remainder of the afternoon.”

Kaka and Titi Streets had been closed but are expected to reopen shortly.

The black smoke was seen from surrounding suburbs. One person in Pakuranga told the Herald they could smell the smoke from there.

Firefighters battle the blaze in Titi St, Favona.

Emergency services at a fire in Favona which broke out in an industrial building just after 10.30am this morning. Photo / Michael Craig

Police say the fire broke out in an industrial building just after 10.30am this morning.

Several surrounding roads were closed, with traffic diversions in place.

“We recommend nearby residents keep their doors and windows closed due to the large volume of smoke in the area.”

Fire and Emergency NZ said the blaze was now contained, with eight fire trucks and several support vehicles at the scene.

Incident controller Phil Larcombe said the fire was in a single-storey building used for wrecking cars.

“We ask people to stay away from the immediate area around Titi St to avoid the smoke and to allow emergency teams to work. Those close by should stay indoors with their windows shut.”

The fire forced the closure of James Fletcher Drive, requiring buses to re-route.

An emergency services incident has closed James Fletcher Drive, requiring the detour of bus route 324.
All stops on James Fletcher Dr, Tui St and Kata St will be missed.
The nearest alternative stops are the Ōtāhuhu Station or Stops 6302 and 6607 on Favon Rd, by Harania Creek. pic.twitter.com/kafe6eJSx7

— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) May 31, 2024

The fire began at a car wrecker's yard in Titi St, Favona.

Favona residents have been told to keep their doors and windows closed as thick smoke billows from a building blaze in the Auckland suburb. Photo / Paul Barr

Meanwhile, firefighters were also responding to a second, unrelated blaze at a church in Māngere. The church is a three-storey building and crews are working to extinguish a fire in a first-floor roof.

A large building is on fire in Ōtāhuhu, Auckland. Image / Viaan Janse van Rensburg

A worker from a truck repair company in nearby Kaka St said the fire was burning in a car wrecker’s yard next door to his company.

He was watching the fire from Kaka St, on a raised bridge over the railway crossing, where he could see fire teams fighting the blaze.

”It hasn’t gone into our premises,” he said.

”They’re starting to get it under control.”

Thick smoke can be seen drifting across the suburb.

Favona residents have been told to keep their doors and windows closed as thick smoke billows from a building blaze in the Auckland suburb. Photo / Celia Davies

Thick black smoke can be seen coming from the area. Photo / Jason Dorday

Can see the smoke from that fire in #Favona from here in #TeAtatuSouth pic.twitter.com/YCrZfUJ9sc

— Matty Matt (@MattDyer01) May 31, 2024