Fire at Avondale Lifecare rest home, ambulance crews assess 34 people

More than 30 people were assessed by ambulance crews and two were taken to hospital after an electrical fire broke out at a West Auckland rest home this morning.

Residents were evacuated and a nearby road was closed a fire broke out at the Avondale Lifecare rest home and hospital just after 9am.

St John confirmed two people were taken to Waitākere Hospital in moderate condition.

A spokesperson said ambulance officers on the scene assessed 34 people affected by the blaze on Rosebank Rd.

Assistant commander Rochelle Martin said a small fire broke out in the power room.

“Crews arrived and extinguished the fire quickly. It was a second alarm level, which was four pumps and a command unit on scene.

“Crews also assisted 22 residents to relocate to a safe area and they will be assessed by St John paramedics to see if anyone has taken in any smoke.”

The residents were evacuated from one area of the rest home and remained outside the property while firefighters ventilated the building.

Fire and Emergency crews respond to an electrical fire at Avondale Lifecare. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Five fire trucks responded to the incident and remained at the property. St John also responded with three ambulances and two managers.

A section of Rosebank Rd, between Great North Rd and Ash St, was closed while emergency services responded but has now been reopened.

UPDATE 10:50AM
This section of Rosebank Rd has now reopened. ^TP https://t.co/2sz0qruyCs

— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) October 2, 2023

Avondale Lifecare is a 67-bed rest home and hospital that offers dementia and medical care.

It is nestled off a main road next to the sprawling Avondale Jockey Club.