Cause of huge blaze at doctor's surgery found

A faulty air conditioning unit caused a blaze that severely damaged an Auckland doctor's clinic this morning, and sent smoke billowing across a number of suburbs.

More than 40 firefighters were needed to bring the major fire at Four Kauri Medical Centre on New North Rd, Mt Albert, under control. They extinguished the blaze over an hour later.

Residents were woken to the sound of crackling and glass shattering and the sight of smoke billowing from the building and blowing towards Auckland city.

Emergency services were called to the blaze this morning. Photo / Supplied

Fire Service specialist fire investigator Russell Dickson said the blaze was accidental and caused by an air conditioning system.

"The fire originated in the reception area as the result of an air conditioning unit that was designed to start operating about 6am to bring the temperature up in room for the day," he said.

"A person who worked at the clinic at the rear of the building arrived at about 7am this morning and noticed smoke coming out the window and a glow inside. Then a window broke and the fire rapidly spread."

Sylila Monteiro lives right next door to the clinic, and said her family was woken by the blaze.

"We were all sleeping because we are not going to work until this afternoon and suddenly my son woke up and said, 'Call the fire, call the police'.

"We heard the alarm and we heard the crackling and crashing and shattering of glass.

"We saw the whole house go up [in flames]."

Mrs Monteiro said smoke was billowing from the property.

"It was oozing out of all the eaves and the roof, there were flames there, too.

"The flames were sky high and there are so many trees and greenery that we were worried it would reach our house as well."

Patients have been reassured their medical records are safe and there is alternative care for them.

The fire gutted Four Kauri Family Medical Centre. Photo / Dan Hines, NZ Herald

Medical centre spokeswoman Dr Sarah Stewart said patients were advised to attend the nearby St Lukes White Cross, where a room had been set up to treat patients.

Phone lines had been diverted to the regular afterhours service, Homecare Medical.

Dr Stewart apologised for any disruptions to patients, and thanked the centre's neighbours that called 111.

"We're also incredibly thankful our patients who have given us so much support."

Fire Service shift manager Paul Radden said the fire reached second alarm and required eight fire appliances plus extra support staff to attend.

"Just after 7.30am we received multiple calls to a property fire on New North Rd near St Lukes Rd," he said.

"The first responding crew found the property to be well involved in fire.

"It was contained to that property and no fire spread to any other buildings."

There were no reports of people being inside the property at the time, or of injuries.

Mr Radden said sections of the road would be closed to accommodate the large Fire Service presence.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area, but road diversions were cleared about 8.45am, and one fire appliance remained at the scene.