Fire closes part of Queen Street

Queen Street has been cordoned off between Customs and Victoria streets. Photo / nzherald.co.nz

Part of Queen Street in Auckland's CBD has been cordoned off and the BNZ tower has been evacuated after a fire started in a staff room on the eighth floor of the building.

The section of Queen Street between Customs and Victoria streets has been blocked off and firefighters are extending an aerial scope appliance over the old BNZ building, which is at the front of the tower.

A large crowd has gathered at the scene but there is no sign of a fire from the street.

Senior station officer Dave Woon said the eighth floor lobby was "reasonably smoke-logged" when firefighters arrived.

The fire is believed to have started in a water boiler in the staff room.

Mr Woon said all 28 floors were evacuated as the smoke was spread through the air conditioning system.

He said there were no injuries.

"I imagine they expected a drill but they ended up with a little bit more," Mr Woon said.