Police were also on the scene managing the closure of Tinopai Rd.
Five fire trucks and about 20 crew were sent to the fire on Tinopai Rd, Titirangi, Auckland. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Peter Millman, who lives near the property, said he heard a number of explosions and saw flames around 20m high and "massive" plumes of smoke.
He and his housemates collected their important belongings - including passports and computers - and evacuated, fearing the blaze could spread to their house.
"[I] first saw it when one of my flatmates started crying out that there was a fire," he said.