Onewa Rd fires: One person injured as crews tackle two Northcote blazes

Two serious house fires have broken out on the same major North Shore road just hours apart.

Earlier this afternoon, one person was injured as emergency services battled a house fire on Onewa Rd near multiple schools in Northcote.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it received multiple calls just after 1pm about a fire and at 3.25pm about a second blaze on the same street.

The homes are a two-minute drive apart.

Police said one person had suffered minor injuries in the earlier fire, but did not need medical attention.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said they received multiple calls regarding a structure fire just after 1pm today on Onewa Rd. Photo / Lochlan Lineham

Fire and Emergency said the first fire was in the ceiling of a single-storey home, and the second “well-involved” fire was in a bedroom and ceiling.

Four fire trucks are at the second blaze.

All people inside the house when the fire broke out were accounted for.

Earlier, Auckland Transport said multiple buses were being rerouted as emergency services responded.

Northcote College said it was aware of the first fire.

Locals on social media said there was a large emergency service presence.

“Just had to close all our windows (Northcote Point) as the smoke smell is so strong,” one person said.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it received multiple calls about a fire just after 1pm today on Onewa Rd. Photo / Supplied

Another said they had received texts from their child, who was a student at Northcote College, as the blaze broke out a few houses away from the school.

A motorist told the Herald the smoke filled the street.

“It was the biggest smoke I’ve ever seen,” she said.

Auckland councillor Richard Hills advised residents to stay away from any surrounding streets.

“I haven’t had any official word, but due to confirmed reports of a house fire, and unconfirmed reports of a car accident too - Onewa Rd is at least partially closed, with emergency services no doubt doing all they can to keep everyone safe and have the road opened as soon as possible,” he said.

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