Glen Innes fire: Grey smoke billows as fire engulfs Ministry of Social Development offices

Eight firefighting crews are still battling a blaze in a government building in Auckland, more than three hours after it began.

Fire and Emergency incident controller Shane Munro said the fire in the Ministry of Social Development office in Glen Innes was contained by 10.30am.

“We responded to the fire at around 7am, and had 15 crews and additional support vehicles at the height of the blaze.”

Councillor Josephine Bartley said she was told by the incident manager at the scene that the fire was not suspicious.

“I feel for WINZ clients now as they will have to travel elsewhere for MSD services,” she said in a social media post.

The burnt-out office of the Ministry of Social Development, Glen Innes. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

Eight crews and fire investigators remain at Mayfair Pl, checking for hotspots and dampening them down.

At least 50 firefighters were at the scene earlier this morning.

A police spokesperson said motorists should expect delays in Glen Innes because of the fire.

Mayfair Pl is cordoned off, and Taniwha St and Apirana Ave are currently closed, although motorists can still use the roundabout.

At its height, 50 firefighters were working to get the fire under control. Photo / Supplied

“The fire is contained and there are no reports of injury,” the police spokesperson said.

Incident controller Shane Munro said the Work and Income building was single-level and had multiple tenants.

Just after 8.30am, Munro said 15 fire trucks were on the scene battling the fire.

He said the fire had been contained to the building but had not been fully extinguished.

Glen Innes Lotto & Dairy owner Kanti Patel said he could see “a lot of grey smoke” billowing from the MSD building in the middle of the shopping centre.

“I can see the smoke, two fire engines here.”

Police have cordoned off the carpark to the shopping centre and have asked that workers close the doors to their shops.

Firefighters and investigators at work at the Glenn Innes office of the Ministry of Social Development. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

Fire and Emergency said it was alerted to a fire at Mayfair Place about 7am.

A spokesperson said 12 trucks with almost 50 firefighters had been sent to the incident.

“We recommend avoiding the area, and if people are concerned by the smoke, please close the doors and windows.”

Last Friday, police and Fire and Emergency NZ attended a fire nearby on Taniwha St. Multiple apartments in a single-storey block of units were affected.

Another witness to this morning’s fire, who was on his way to work, said there was a lot of “black and grey smoke” coming from one building.

“There’s smoke right over to the train station.

“There’s a smell of a kind of burnt plastic around the place.”

He said there were about six fire trucks on the scene and traffic was “terrible” in the area.

There were three ambulances and a large police response.

Police were preventing people from coming close to the area.

Gemmells Tyrepower manager Steven said he could see half a dozen fire engines and three to four police vehicles at the scene.

The fire was contained by 10.30am. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

“When I arrived at work, I saw the smoke, it was probably about 7.10am.

“It was well up in smoke by then.”

Sharlene Horne, regional director Auckland central and east for the Ministry of Social Development, said there were no clients at the site and all staff members were safe.

“We will be getting in touch with clients who were due to come in and see us.”

A St John spokesperson said ambulance officers were called to the scene but were not required.

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