High winds tear roof from Auckland warehouse

A person has escaped injury after being trapped under rubble when high winds ripped off a large section of roof in a South Auckland industrial area.

Emergency services were called to the Safe Store property at Puhinui Rd in Papatoetoe after winds blew off a 40m by 20m section of its roof this afternoon.

Fire Service northern communication manager Jaron Phillips said a person in an adjoining unit had been freed from the wreckage.

A St John's Ambulance spokesman said ambulance officers were called to the scene but found the person did not need medical attention.

He did not have any more details about the person.

Mr Phillips said no other reports of damage had been received from properties in the area.

He said it was surprising to get a report of destructive winds as weather in Auckland was generally fine today.

Firefighters were now working to salvage property from the damaged building and patch up its roof using tarpaulins.