Large fire at Auckland chicken hatchery

Photo / Emma Wilson

Dozens of firefighters are working to put out a large fire at a chicken hatchery in a rural area south of Auckland.

A worker discovered smoke coming from the roof of the hatchery on Brown Rd in Tuakau about 3pm, northern fire communications shift manager Colin Underdown said.

The fire was well alight when firefighters arrived on scene, he told NZPA.

Late this afternoon about nine appliances, with four firefighters each, were working to get the fire under control and a further five appliances were on their way to the scene, Mr Underwood said.

He did not know if the chickens had been rescued from the building.

The business, Bromley Park Hatcheries, supplies day-old chickens according to listings on business directories.

- NZPA