A scrub fire broke out in the Auckland suburb of Parnell sending smoke billowing into the sky.
Emergency services received reports of the blaze on Gladstone Rd in Parnell, on the hill near the Fred Amber lookout shortly before 6pm.
The Herald received reports of the smoke being seen as
far away as the western suburb of New Lynn.
By 645pm the blaze seemed mostly extinguished as fire crews worked at the top and bottom of the hill, though a thick smell of smoke still languished in the air.
Fire and emergency services area commander Gavin Travers said they received multiple calls of the blaze at about 550pm.
