A central Auckland home was struck by lightning, causing its roof to burst into flames as thunderstorms hit the region. Video / Hayden Woodward
Homes in Central Auckland and Mangawhai were struck by lightning, resulting in fires as thunderstorms hit the region.
Firefighters were called to two separate incidents on Friday evening: a villa fire in Grey Lynn and a lightning-related blaze in Mangawhai.
In Mangawhai, Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews respondedafter a lightning strike caused a fire that blew a fuse board. A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said two fire engines and one tanker attended. The situation was brought under control.
Earlier, in central Auckland, crews were called to a property on Home St, Grey Lynn, about 5.30pm.
Fire and Emergency senior station officer for Auckland City, Michael Manning, told a photographer at the scene the storm’s impacts caused the blaze.
Fire and Emergency extinguished a fire in the roof space of a home on Home St, Grey Lynn. Photo / Hayden Woodward
“We have the fire out and under control.
“We’re just putting some salvage materials over the top of the roof to protect the structure,” Manning said.
He said the crews had done an “outstanding job”, noting the fire could have gotten much worse.
Photos from the scene show a group of firefighters on the street near the home, surrounded by dark, grey sky. Firefighters are also working on the roof.
Hato Hone St John said they received a call about the incident at 5.40pm.
They responded to the fire with one ambulance and assessed two people in minor condition who did not require transport to hospital.
The earlier severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Auckland was lifted as the tempestuous festive season weather continues to cast a shadow over the holiday break.
MetService detected severe thunderstorms in Auckland City, Waitākere, Rodney, the Gulf, and Albany, with heavy hail accompanying them.
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