Fire in van in West Auckland

Four fire engines were called out to the blaze at 5.10pm, which had set off sprinklers at a nearby shop.

Firefighters attended a dramatic fire in a van in West Auckland this evening.

Four fire engines were called out to the blaze at 5.10pm, which had set off sprinklers at a nearby shop.

Fire communications shift manager Jaron Phillips said the van was unoccupied, and the fire was fully involved by the time the fire service arrived.

He said once they arrived the fire was put out quickly and he did not know what had caused it.

Columbus Café owner Prit Dhami said the van was completely destroyed by the fierce blaze.

He understood a dog had been pulled from the vehicle but was unsure how the fire started.

"I think there was something wrong with the van."

Photo / Frank Thomas

Witnesses had watched the vehicle burn with many of them taking photos, he said.

A man who witnessed the fire said he saw smoke coming out from the partly-opened driver window.

Photo / Frank Thomas

"In another car beside the van a woman was dozing and was alerted by a man to leave her car at once," Frank Thomas said.

"At the same time, the owner showed up, opened the doors and removed some smouldering clothing, but it was too late.

Photo / Frank Thomas

"In less than two minutes the van went up in flames in front of the Chinese take away."

He said nobody was hurt in the blaze and fire engines arrived within a few minutes of it starting.