Central Auckland fire crews raced to the Copthorne Harbour City Hotel at 9.15am to investigate many reports of smoke coming out of the roof of the landmark Quay St building.
The cause of the smoke was quickly established as coming from a plastic container on fire within a metal structure on the building, said Fire Service North Communications.
Damage was limited to the container and as the building was under extensive renovations, it was empty of guests and staff.
