The building on Abel Smith St, Te Aro, used to be occupied by the Lebanese Society of New Zealand and later was the scene of a dawn raid by police as part of the investigation into allegations of terrorist training camps in the Ureweras. Video / Katie Harris
An historic Wellington house has been destroyed by fire tonight, bringing the central city to a standstill and closing major roads and tunnels.
Firefighters have been tackling the blaze on Abel Smith St, Te Aro which is now mostly under control.
Twelve fire appliances were at the scene, including two aerial appliances.
The fire has consumed the entire house and a crowd of people gathered at a cordon to watch the blaze, with some onlookers taking photos and video of the inferno at the three-storey building.
Crowds look on as fire crews fight the blaze. Photo / Katie Harris
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) incident controller Mike Dombroski said emergency services fielded multiple calls reporting a "substantial fire" in the derelict building around 6.08pm.
"When we arrived, we found a well-involved, two-storey building," he said.
Police arrived at the scene around 6.20pm, where officers assisted firefighters in placing a cordon around the area and provided traffic control assistance.
Fenz will be at the building overnight and ask that bystanders and motorists avoid the area, he said.
NZTA reported the Terrace Tunnel and Arras Tunnel were closed with diversions in place.
SH1 TE ARO, NORTHBOUND - FIRE - 6:40PM Due to a house fire near Abel Amith Rd, the Terrace Tunnel and Arras Tunnel are now CLOSED. Please avoid the area and follow direction by emergency services on-site for an alternate route. ^AP pic.twitter.com/vMqKGKnn2b
A specialist fire investigator working with police will begin an investigation into the source of the fire tomorrow morning.
The property is a famous Wellington landmark – it was designed by William Crichton and was built in 1898.
Police have asked motorists to avoid the area. Photo / Katie Harris
Once a private hospital, in recent years it has served as a community centre and as a hub for a range of activists and environmental causes.
Crowds gather to watch the blaze. Photo / Katie Harris
Police arrived at the scene around 6.20pm and the spokeswoman understood they were there to provide traffic control assistance. Photo / Katie Harris
The property was the scene of a dawn raid by police in 2007 as part of the investigation into allegations of terrorist training camps in the Ureweras.
Lebanese Society of New Zealand Inc president Gabriel Ataya said it was a sad day for the Lebanese community.
The building used to be occupied by the Lebanese Society of New Zealand which dissolved in 1978, however, it has been cared for ever since then, he said.
"It's very sad to see the old headquarters of the Lebanese Society of New Zealand go up in flames, a sad day for the Lebanese community," Ataya said.
