Woman reassured before chimney demolition

A woman who was trapped in her house by a falling chimney said she warned Worksafe and her neighbour about the project but they told her it was fine.

Kate Paterson, who has multiple sclerosis, and her family were eating dinner in their Auckland home last night when the chimney, from a demolition next door, came through the wall.

A gas line was ruptured and Ms Paterson's wheelchair ramp was cut off.

A contractor from another site had warned her about the demolition and she contacted the owner, she said.

"He said, 'Oh no no ... you're just emotional,' and just had no regard, basically, for our health and safety or the health and safety of any of the neighbours around them."

The family was now staying at a hotel in the city until repairs have finished.