The fire was reported around midnight on Auckland’s Northwestern Motorway SH16, around and under the Newton Rd overbridge. Video / NZ Herald
Last night’s fire on a motorway overbridge in central Auckland is still causing problems, with the traffic lights on the bridge now not working.
The “challenging” scrub fire under the Newton Rd overbridge spread up into the bridge’s service structures, making it very challenging for firefighters to tackle.
7:30AM - Traffic lights at the top of Newton Rd eastbound off-ramp are faulting following last nights fire. Please follow directions of NZ Police assisting with traffic management. Follow give-way rules, take extra care and be mindful of pedestrians crossing. ^TP pic.twitter.com/k6NdG1qeb5
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) March 6, 2024
While the fire was extinguished around 2am, NZTA Waka Kotahi says the traffic lights at the top of the Newton Rd eastbound off-ramp are faulting.
“Please follow directions of NZ Police assisting with traffic management. Follow give-way rules, take extra care and be mindful of pedestrians crossing.”
The fire, which was reported just before midnight, closed roads overnight and sent thick smoke around the central city.
Fire and Emergency NZ said a large number of firefighters were sent to fight the blaze which was burning in vegetation on Auckland’s State Highway 16, around and under the Newton Rd overbridge .
At 2am it had been extinguished but there was still a large amount of smoke and road closures were still in place, Fenz said.
“Smoke from the fire is noticeable over a wide area – we recommend people keep windows closed.”
Heavy smoke across Grafton as firefighters worked to get the fire around the Newton Rd overbridge under control. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Auckland City assistant commander Barry Fox said when firefighters arrived the blaze was well established in the bush area.
It had then moved up into the service ducts that feed under the overbridge, making it “quite a challenging fire”.
“It was quite awkward to get water to that location so we’ve had people on top of the bridge firing water through gaps in the road and the bridge structure, and also fighting the fire from underneath from down on the lower motorway.”
Eight fire appliances and a large number of firefighters were sent to fight the blaze. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Smoke had filled Newton Gully and surrounding areas, and there had been multiple calls to Fenz about smoke in buildings in the area. Many staff were using breathing apparatus due to the smoke.
The overbridge had been closed for inspection by civil engineers to see what the damage was, he said, confirming there was potentially damage to the bridge’s earthquake protection dampeners.
NZTA Waka Kotahi’s website shows the overbridge is now open.
