Ōtāhuhu fire: Major blaze tears through factory in South Auckland

Train services have been cancelled and the public warned to keep their windows closed after a major factory fire in South Auckland.

Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) was called about 3.20pm on Friday to the large building fire on McGee St, Ōtāhuhu. The fire then spread to an adjoining building.

At the peak, there were 15 fire trucks plus other support vehicles on the scene.

Shortly before 7.30pm, Fenz said the fire in the second building had been contained and firefighters were dampening down hotspots in the original building.

A fire at an industrial area in Ōtāhuhu was attended by 15 fire trucks and other support vehicles on Friday afternoon. Photo / Grzt Jurjen

Smoke from the fire in Ōtāhuhu could be seen from Māngere Bridge. Photo / Jason Dorday

An emergency mobile alert was issued shortly before 5pm to warn people in the area to stay inside with doors and windows shut, to avoid being exposed to smoke.

Fenz said in an update that while there’s now little smoke, people should still keep their doors and windows closed and stay away from the area so they don’t get in the way of emergency services.

People in the area of the blaze were advised to stay inside with doors and windows shut, to avoid being exposed to smoke. Photo / NZME

Train services between Ōtāhuhu and Middlemore were earlier suspended because the fire was close to railway tracks.

At about 7.45pm, Auckland Transport said power had been turned back on at Ōtāhuhu Station, which means train services can run along the Southern and Eastern lines.

“Because of the significant delays earlier this evening due to the fire in Ōtāhuhu there will continue to be some delays and cancellations across the Auckland rail network this evening,” a spokesperson said.

“We’d like to thank our train customers for their patience and understanding tonight as we work to get services back running to their timetables as quickly as we can.”

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