Bush fire in Hunua Gorge causes landslip

Photo / File / Wayne Drought

A large bush fire has caused a landslip that has closed a road between Papakura and Hunua Township, south of Auckland today.

Fire crews were called to the blaze in the Hunua Gorge about 5.15am, northern communications shift manager Tania Matthews said.

No homes are believed to be threatened.

Emergency services were initially told a tree was on fire, but by the time crews arrived, it had spread to a sheer cliff face, "which is proving difficult for access".

Eight appliances were at the scene fighting the 100m by 100m blaze.

The fire was burning in the quarry and on one side of the river that ran through it.

"The fire's also caused a bit of a landslip, which is why the police have closed Hunua Road (on the eastern side)."

Police were assisting with diversions and were advising motorists to use either Ponga Road to the South or Ardmore Quarry Road to the North.