October 23 2019 | Focus: Firefighters continue to battle the blaze at SkyCity Auckland. Video / Grant Murray / Supplied
Fire crews are "winning the battle" against the SkyCity inferno that has brought central Auckland to a standstill.
But it has come at a cost, with one firefighter taken to hospital with moderate injuries after being struck by a piece of falling roof.
Fire and Emergency regional manager Ron Devlinsaid their strategy at containing the fire was working as planned.
"We are without any doubt winning the battle against the fire."
Prime Minister jacinda Ardern takes a tour of the burning New Zealand International Convention Centre with Mayor Phil Goff and Fire and Emergency's Ron Devlin. Photo / Dean Purcell
The roof had nearly burned out, about 20 per cent was remaining, and was being contained from spreading through the building by the water they were using.
They expected by 8pm the roof would have fully burned through and smoke begun to dissipate.
Devlin confirmed one firefighter had been taken to hospital earlier this afternoon with a concussion after being struck by a piece of the roof.
"It was unusual, may have been flicked off in the wind. It is not what we want to happen, and the reason we have been very careful with internal operations."
There were about 80 firefighters on the scene currently, down from 130 at the peak.
While the fire had affected the sixth and seventh floors, Devlin said the fifth floor looked in good shape. The roof's membrane was damaged, but structure looked to be intact.
"We expected the roof to burn and collapse in, and it is doing exactly that."
Devlin said he could not say anything about the investigation into the cause of the fire.
"My view is there is no chance of the fire spreading down. I am confident the fire is already contained.
"What we have is a burned structure, still smouldering. Probably about 20 per cent of the roof is still burning, and once that is burned it will have burned itself out."
Smoke continues to cause issues for people in the central city. Photo / Dean Purcell
Prime Minister Ardern told media she wanted to acknowledge firefighters who had been working under difficult circumstances.
"The team on the ground, have been incredibly professional, very focused on what they can do to preserve the building."
She also wanted to acknowledge Fletcher's and SkyCity who had been open and honest about what was happening.
Safety had been the focus. The second issue was the future of the convention centre.
"You can see how the smoke has been debilitating for people."
She said it was "case by case" on whether workers should return to their offices in the city to work.
When asked about the economic impact on business, she indicated there would be some sort of financial compensation. It would be a small number of businesses affected.
Firefighters tackle the SkyCity inferno. Photo / Dean Purcell
She said there would be a hiatus for Fletcher's workers, and some would be working on the project longer than anticipated.
SkyCity chief executive Graeme Stephens said he hoped staff working on the project would be back at work on Friday.
Some workers would have a hiatus. Some left their tools on their site because of the quick evacuation.
