Traffic stopped as firefighters bring Auckland blaze under control

A first-storey blaze stopped traffic in several busy side streets in the Auckland suburb of Parnell today.

The fire in St George Street about 1.30pm led to the closing of two or three streets as about 16 fire trucks and support vehicles and their crews fought the fire.

Auckland City deputy chief fire officer Steve Lakin said the building was used for commercial storage.

The fire was extinguished soon after firefighters arrived and the building was checked, including the roof space, to make sure the fire had not spread.

Mr Lakin said firefighters wore breathing apparatus to check the building. At the height of the fire smoke billowed out of the windows and doors and a strong burning smell lingered in the air.

The building was not believed to be severely damaged.

Earlier in the day firefighters also attended a fire at Corbans Viticulture at Whenuapai on Auckland's North Shore.

The fire was in a warehouse but damage was not thought to be extensive.

- NZPA