Large blaze at Onehunga factory extinguished, crews remain at scene to monitor for hotspots

A blaze in Auckland’s Onehunga this afternoon, which required 60 firefighters, has been extinguished.

Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) was alerted to the structure fire on Galway St at 4.38pm.

“On arrival, the first crews found a single-storey building 30m by 20m being used as a factory well ablaze,” Fenz said earlier.

Fifteen fire trucks and sixty firefighters responded to the fire.

In an update at 7.45pm, Fenz said the fire had been extinguished and three fire appliances remained at the scene to monitor for hotspots.

A photographer at the scene earlier said onlookers were warned there may be asbestos in the smoke and police advised them to step back.

Fifteen fire trucks as well as support staff are responding to the fire. Photo / Jason Dorday

He said a couple of residents had been provided with oxygen masks as a precaution.

Hato Hone St John said they were treating one patient in a moderate condition at the scene.

One ambulance and a rapid response vehicle remained in attendance at 6.20pm.

Three aerial ladder trucks had been employed to help fight the fire.

A witness told the Herald they could hear cracking and piles of soot were raining down in the area.

People on social media said the air smelt like burning plastic.

Onlookers were warned that there may be asbestos in the smoke. Photo / Jason Dorday

A police spokesperson earlier said there had not been a street closure, but they were on the scene.

“Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays while emergency services respond.”

The fire was less than 2km away from waste facility Green Gorilla, where crews battled a large blaze for six days just two weeks ago.

Large flames and billowing smoke could be seen for several kilometres on February 7 as emergency services responded to the massive fire on Victoria St.

Police evacuated neighbouring commercial buildings.