West Auckland Avondale Jockey Club fire: 19 crews battle blaze in grandstand

A large West Auckland jockey club’s grandstand has been damaged in an overnight fire.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) said it attended the large fire at Avondale Jockey Club in West Auckland overnight with 19 crews battling flames.

Nearly 20 fire crews were called to battle the blaze in the Avondale Jockey Club grandstand.

A Fenz spokesperson said crews arrived at the Elm St address about 12.30am to find a well-involved fire on the ground floor of the grandstand.

“They sent 19 vehicles to assist with putting the blaze out.

“Fire investigators have been on scene and two trucks are still there checking for any hotspots.”

It is unclear at this stage if the fire was deliberately lit.

Fenz says crews arrived about 12.30 this morning to find a well-involved fire on the ground floor of the Avondale Jockey Club. Photo / Hayden Woodward

A police spokesperson said they were making inquiries into the fire.

“Police will be working with fire investigators to determine whether there are any suspicious circumstances.

“Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area at the time can contact police on 105 quoting the file number 231229/1819.”

Firefighters set up a staging area in the Avondale Jockey Club carpark.