Firefighters have been battling a large blaze in an industrial building in the Auckland suburb of Penrose.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Crews were called to the industrial building in Neilson Street, which was well engulfed by flames, at 1.55am.
At its peak, 20 fire appliances and more than 100 firefighters were involved in containing and extinguishing the fire.
Four trucks and about 25 firefighters remained at the scene about 7am.
Residents in Onehunga, Māngere Bridge and Favona were told to keep windows closed and stay indoors if possible.
The building owner later advised there was no asbestos or other hazardous substances in the building, Fire and Emergency said.
Crews treated the fire scene with caution until they had full information, incident controller Brad Mosby told Morning Report.
They were also working to contain contaminated water runoff to the area.
"Because we've used a lot of water, and it's obviously been contaminated by the fire, we've worked with our partners Auckland City Council, Auckland Emergency Management, to stop the flow of the water ... trying to protect the environment."
Fire trucks near the site of a fire at an industrial building in Penrose. Motorists were advised to avoid the area early on Tuesday with emergency vehicles blocking some lanes Photo: RNZ / Nick Truebridge
Firefighters had contained the spread of the blaze, he said.
"The initial fire attack was very good ... we were able to cut of the fire, to be contained to the actual building"- Incident controller Brad Mosby
To start with the smoke was going straight up, but the wind had then taken it across Onehunga, Māngere Bridge and Favona, he said.
Motorists were told lanes on Neilson Street between between Church Street and Angle Street were blocked by emergency service vehicles, and advised to avoid the area.