Fire and Emergency Incident Controller Phil Larcombe gives an update following major Auckland New World fire.
New World Victoria Park staff will continue to be paid after a major fire ripped through the central Auckland supermarket yesterday, burning out of control for several hours as more than 80 firefighters battled to put it out.
The fire is now out but disruption remains for morning commuters, withtraffic from Herne Bay into the CBD diverted this morning by a “No Entry” sign at the top of College Hill, blocking the route that runs past the supermarket.
Now, the owners of the New World Victoria Park store are working through what’s needed to get back into business - but Foodstuffs North Island chief executive Chris Quin said in the meantime, staff would continue to be paid.
“We’ve been very clear with the team that we will make sure they are looked after, that the bills can be paid and that they’ll be okay,” Quin told Ryan Bridge on Herald Now this morning.
“Some of the staff will already be working at other stores today fulfilling online orders ... catering needs and the various things that were booked for the next few days for this store.”
He believed they’d get back control of the building sometime today, after which they can begin assessing damage, from structural to water and smoke, and which he described this morning as “pretty extensive”.
“We have half a dozen plans prepared. We just need to get information to find out which one is the best to pursue.”
The fire started in an area being refurbished, but he didn’t know the cause or if anyone was in the area at the time, Quin told Ryan Bridge.
“It’s really important that we stand back and let the experts determine that accurately.”
Yesterday, customers were forced to drop their shopping and evacuate when the fire alarm sounded about 11.18am.
Some, along with staff, were unable to retrieve their vehicles from the underground carpark. Police later collected keys from those affected and late yesterday afternoon firefighters were seen driving cars out of the carpark.
He understood “most, if not all” cars had since been returned to their owners, Quin said.
“And we made sure that customers who couldn’t get to their cars got home. We got them cabs and just did the right things in terms of supporting people who had this horrible surprise situation unfold [while they were shopping].”
With more than 20 fire appliances sent to the five-alarm fire, more than 80 firefighters were yesterday needed to wrestle control of the fire and eventually put it out.
They’d done “a fantastic job”, Quin told Ryan Bridge.
“We couldn’t be feeling more humbled by everybody’s support.”
Fire and Emergency Senior Station Officer Mark Neville told the Herald that firefighters remained at the site overnight to deal with any hotspots and ensure the site was secure.
“Fire and Emergency expects to hand the building back to the property owners ... [this] morning.”
Just before 8am, two crews of firefighters remained at the site monitoring hot spots, and the section of Victoria St between College Hill and Franklin Rd was still closed with Fire and Emergency expected to remain at the scene most of the day, Incident Controller Phil Larcombe said.
“The property is extensively damaged, and fire investigators have returned today to continue working to establish the origin and cause of the fire.”
Thick black smoke engulfing New World Victoria Park supermarket during yesterday's fire. Photo / Dean Purcell
Last night, the supermarket’s owners thanked emergency services and staff for their response during the incident.
“Fire and Emergency New Zealand did a great job and responded quickly,” the owners wrote on Facebook.
“Right now, our focus is on supporting our people and the emergency response, including assessing damage to the store once it’s safe to do so.
“It’s early days and we’re still working through what it will take to get the store back on its feet for customers.”
“The first thing is we can’t get safe access to the building till Fire and Emergency give that to us. Secondly, obviously a lot of water, a lot of smoke, a lot of carcinogens have gone through the building.
Firefighters contained the large blaze at New World College Hill. Photo / Hayden Woodward
A shopper said on Reddit: “Was just doing a regular shop at New World today when the fire alarm went off. Like most people, I figured it was just a drill or maybe a false alarm.
“But within seconds, it was clear it wasn’t.”
More than 80 firefighters from 20 fire appliances fought the blaze. Photo / Hayden Woodward
The shopper gave “huge credit to the New World staff”.
“They moved quickly and calmly, creating a real sense of urgency without any panic.
“They got everyone out fast and safely, which can’t be easy in a supermarket. Really hope everything’s okay and there’s no serious damage.
“Just one of those moments that reminds you how important good training and a cool head are.”
