Plumes of black smoke, cars on fire at Ngongotahā wrecking yard near Rotorua

Firefighters from multiple brigades have contained a fire at a car wrecker’s yard in Ngongotahā near Rotorua.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said people in the area should stay away and remain inside, away from the thick smoke.

“Stay inside, close doors and windows and turn off air conditioning.”

Fire and large plumes of black smoke at the car wreckers yard in Ngongotahā. Photo / Supplied

Video taken earlier this evening shows the blaze producing large plumes of black smoke.

A local business owner told the Herald the fire is at Direct Auto Dismantlers.

Photos from the Ngongotahā area showed thick black smoke coming from the car wreckers. Photo / Supplied

Direct Auto Dismantlers suffered a massive fire in 2020, when hundreds of cars went up in flames after a car was crushed with a battery in the boot.

Firefighters are now dealing with remaining pockets of burning material and hotspots.