Two firefighters injured in large Newmarket blaze

Firefighters were today trying to discover what started a large blaze in the Auckland commercial area of Newmarket last night.

Two firefighters were injured fighting the blaze at a Khyber Pass building which housed an adult store, a restaurant and a beauty therapy business.

Hundreds of onlookers watched as 17 fire appliances from across Auckland and a police helicopter were required at the scene of the blaze, which began about 5pm.

Fire Service northern communications centre shift manager Colin Underdown said one firefighter was taken to hospital following the fire.

"He got a cut on his hand and he required surgery. I think it cut through his tendon," he told NZPA.

A second firefighter received an electric shock and was treated at the scene.

Mr Underdown said fire safety officers were at the scene this morning and would spend some time trying to find clues to how the fire started.

Eye witnesses reported billowing black smoke visible for kilometres in a fire described by Newmarket Business Association head Cameron Brewer as probably the biggest fire in Newmarket for some time.

" Initially we were also worried about two important neighbouring buildings - the major commercial building Axon House and one of our few Victorian buildings that houses the Mustang Saloon ," Mr Brewer said.

"The black smoke could apparently be seen for miles. It was pouring out of Khyber Pass and billowing across Lumsden Green and Broadway - quite a wake up call for everyone."

- NZPA