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Fire crews have extinguished a large blaze at an automotive workshop in New Lynn overnight.
Fenz upgraded the incident to a third alarm, dispatching multiple fire trucks and specialist appliances.
A police scene guard has been in place overnight and a fire investigator will return this morning.
Police have been guarding the scene of a large blaze at an automotive shop in New Lynn, Auckland, overnight.
The building fire closed part of Portage Rd while firefighters battled the blaze. The fire has now been extinguished and all fire appliances have left the scene.
A fire investigator will return this morning to look into the cause of the blaze.
Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) received reports of the building on fire on Portage Rd at 5.51pm on Monday.
“On arrival the building was found to be well-involved in fire,” a Fenz spokesman said.
“The building is a two-level commercial building used as a workshop and is 30m by 50m in size.”
The Herald understands the blaze was at Shine Automotive.
Firefighters remain at the scene of a fire at an automotive workshop in New Lynn. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Fenz sent eight fire trucks, two ladder trucks, three specialist appliances and three support vehicles to the scene. Crews from across 10 different fire stations attended.
“The public is asked to stay away from the area and respect any road closures while firefighters are at work,” Fenz said.
Shortly after 7pm, assistant fire commander Barry Thomas, at the scene, said the fire had been contained.
“We’re just doing a preliminary fire investigation just to try and determine the cause at this stage.”
Firefighters were put through the standard decontamination phase after a building fire on Portage Rd. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Thomas said crews found flames coming out the rear of the building and as things progressed, flames came out of the front.
He added an aerial appliance also attended.
“There is obviously some interior burns. There’s also been reports of gas cylinders in the interior of the building.
“We’ve got another hazard, which is a half-filled waste oil container in the rear of the workshop, but our crews are currently safe and they’ve contained the fire.”
Crews from across 10 different fire stations were in attendance. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Police last night confirmed they received reports of the fire about 6pm and were assisting with traffic management.
“The road is closed between Clark St and Great North Rd.
“Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area and expect delays,” a police spokesperson said.
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said it was safe to assume the road had reopened once firefighters had left the scene. The Herald has requested confirmation this morning from police that Portage Rd has reopened.
Benjamin Plummer is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He has worked for the Herald since 2022.
