Huge fire in west Auckland

Firefighters are battling a huge blaze at a nursery in Waitakere.

The building, on Scenic Drive, Konini, was engulfed by flames when fire crews arrived at around 5.40pm.

More than 50 firefighters were battling the blaze at its peak. Jaron Phillips, fire service acting shift manager, said the blaze was "70 per cent" contained by 7pm.

But efforts to douse the flames were being hampered by a number of explosions thought to have been caused by gas cylinders.

Initial reports that people were trapped inside were incorrect, with staff being evacuated, said Mr Phillips.

Emergency services received "numerous calls" after the blaze broke out shortly after 5.30pm. Plumes of smoke could be seen across Auckland and from as far away as the Harbour Bridge, Mr Phillips said.

It was too early to say how the fire started, but investigation officers were at the scene.