Firefighters attend major fire in Auckland suburb of Onehunga

A large fire that broke out at the Green Gorilla waste facility at Onehunga in Auckland has been contained.

Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) said approximately 40 firefighters, along with two helicopters, were continuing to extinguish the fire.

It was currently measuring 50 metres by 30m in size.

There was damage to another building within the site as well, FENZ said.

"Fire and Emergency crews are expected to remain at the scene overnight and into tomorrow."

Heavy traffic has snarled up Auckland roads tonight following the fire.

Waka Kotahi said drivers should expect delays on several roads in the area, and motorists would be better off avoiding it altogether.

Earlier, police evacuated people that were immediately downwind from the fire.

FENZ said all evacuations were from neighbouring commericial buildings, and no residential properties were evacuated.

"Households and workplaces in the area of the fire should continue to keep windows and doors closed. Anyone in the vicinity is advised to keep out of the smoke.

"If the smoke causes respiratory problems, please ring Healthline for free advice on 0800 611116 or see your doctor if you have breathing difficulties or chest pain.

"Fire and Emergency asks the public to avoid the southern area of Victoria Street and Neilson Street, to allow emergency services access to the fire ground."

FENZ earlier asked people not to fly drones as helicopters were working in the area.

Auckland councillor for Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Ward Josephine Bartley said she was being updated by FENZ controllers about the situation.

She said businesses and residences along the Nelson Street area had been advised to evacuate by police.

Bartley said people should avoid travelling through the area, which will be experiencing peak traffic at this time, and should not be tempted to go and watch the fire.

A man who was working near the scene of the fire this afternoon said heavy smoke forced workers to grab masks.

Sathish, who works in an auto-parts shop, said smoke inundated their workshop while workers were inside.

"We heard the smoke alarm ... I cannot see the flames ... but the smoke was really huge. The smoke was really bad and strong so that's why I'm wearing a mask."

An RNZ reporter at the scene esarlier this evening told Checkpoint helicopters were circling overhead and dumping water on the blaze.

She said as soon as she and a camera operator arrived they could smell the "pungent" smoke and both were wearing masks.

The area was cordoned off, which was expected to affect motorists trying to get home.

There was already a major build-up of traffic and significant delays, she said.

Firefighters were called to the scene just after 1pm on Wednesday.

Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi were warning the road was closed at the intersection of Neilson Street and Victoria Street.

Motorists were asked to avoid the area or expect delays with diversions in place affecting all traffic, including bus services.

In an update this evening, Auckland Transport said the traffic on State Highway 20, including the Onehunga Bridge, was very heavy and causing delays to bus routes 36, 38 and 309 in both directions.

Delays were between 10 and 30 minutes.

Businesses nearby say the smell of smoke and burnt plastic has taken over the street.

One business owner, 200 metres away from the blaze, told RNZ he was keeping the windows and doors closed, to avoid smoke coming inside the office.

Laura Hulbert who works for the local business association can see the blaze from the office's second floor.

"I can actually see the top of the flames and all the black smoke pouring out across the sky over the main street [of Onehunga].

"My boss actually called earlier to let me know, she was driving back along the Southern Motorway and she said she could it was on top of a pile of rubbish."

Households and workplaces in the area of the fire should close windows, doors and ventilation systems, a spokesperson for FENZ said.

If the smoke causes respiratory problems, Healthline can be contacted for for free advice on 0800 611116 or people should seek advice from their doctor if they were experiencing breathing difficulties or chest pain.

Anyone in the vicinity is being advised to keep out of the smoke.

FENZ has sent its safety advice out as an alert to people's mobile phones if they are in the affected area.

Smoke from the blaze can be seen from other parts of the city, with social media users on Waiheke Island reporting they can see it.