A large fire broke out near an industrial area of the Auckland suburb of Takanini yesterday evening.
Residents were urged to close their windows as large plumes of black smoke filled the air.
A person living nearby told the Herald he could see “pops of explosions with sparks”.
He said there was a “strong smell of tyre smoke”.
Another person said he heard “sirens everywhere and explosions”.
Another person commented on Facebook that the fire department had “advised everyone to stay inside, fumes may be toxic”.
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said this morning that the fire was “well involved” when they arrived at 10pm last night.
Nineteen fire trucks were called to the scene and the fire has now been extinguished.
The spokesperson said a fire investigator would return this morning.
They also said the stay inside warning had lapsed.
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The Māori Party founder is being laid to rest at Whangaehu Marae.