Bush blaze threatened West Auckland homes

Dozens of firefighters battled a fierce bush fire in West Auckland last night that threatened homes and blocked access to residents.

Witnesses said the blaze blackened hills above the Kakamatua Inlet, between Cornwallis and Huia, sparking warnings for residents affected by smoke to keep windows shut.

Flames and large plumes of smoke could be seen as far off as Mt Roskill as the fire raged through native bush.

The Fire Service, which was alerted at 3.20pm, estimated the blaze covered nearly 10ha of bush. It was finally contained about 8.30pm.

Northern Fire Communications shift manager Steve Smith said this morning that firefighters had remained at the scene of the blaze to ensure there were no further outbreaks.

"We just have a couple of crews there hanging around making sure it doesn't flare up."

The cause of the fire was yet to be determined, he said.

Additional fire crews were brought in to control the blaze, including some from city suburbs Henderson, Glen Eden, Avondale, Mt Roskill and Balmoral, plus three helicopters using monsoon buckets.

Ground crews used low-pressure hoses, chainsaws and hand tools to contain the flames as firefighters worked to protect property threatened by the fire.

A resident, whose house was in the area, wrote on Facebook that a helicopter had attached a monsoon bucket on her lawn.

The woman said her house had been fire-protected using flame retardant.

"They have gelled our house and lawn and everything and [are] squirting water from our lawn.

"We are all away but have other family members there helping," she wrote.

Another local resident, Alyssa Heron, said that throughout the day, the fire looked like it was under control but would then flare up again.

"It has spread right around the hill and to the top near houses."

Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management asked the public to stay away from the area and warned people affected by smoke to close windows and doors.

Fire Service spokesman Jaron Phillips said personnel would remain at the scene overnight.