Massive explosion, fireball at Auckland yard, at least 12 cars destroyed

Armin Pasagic captured a photo of the fire from his apartment, with smoke billowing into the night sky. Photo / Supplied

A massive explosion and fireball rocked west Auckland suburbs early today, destroying at least a dozen vehicles.

Thick black smoke filled the sky in west Auckland after the cars went up in flames at a New Lynn wrecker's yard.

Images show the fire shooting flames and smoke into the air. Witnesses on social media described being awoken by the explosion.

Armin Pasagic captured a photo of the fire from his apartment, with smoke billowing into the night sky. Photo / Supplied

Fire and Emergency NZ northern shift manager Carren Larking said multiple calls were received about the fire since 1.06am.

"Some people said it was just a grass fire, some said it was a transformer on fire but on arrival we found 12-15 cars on fire in a car wrecker's yard."

Four fire trucks and crews were needed to extinguish the fire, on Great North Rd between Clark St and Rata St.

All had gone home before 6am, Larking said. A fire investigator would return to the scene at daylight to look at what caused the blaze.

A reporter at the scene said police had cordoned off the area, while another witness said police detectives attended.

Larking said police were often sent to big fire jobs as the public often called them as well, and ambulance were often called in as a precaution.

She had not been informed of any concerns about toxic pollutants being involved in the fire.

More to come