Walker thought roof collapse was a quake

Firemen at the scene of the collapsed facade. Photo / Sarah Ivey

When she heard a loud boom and felt the ground shake while out walking at lunchtime yesterday, Bernadette Wilson thought Auckland had been hit by an earthquake.

But the crashing sound Mrs Wilson heard was a roof on a Westmere building collapsing on to a footpath.

"For a while, I was in quite a shock, praying, 'No, God, don't let it happen to Auckland'," she said.

"With all the crazy things that have happened in Christchurch and Queensland, well, you never know."

The roof hanging over the footpath on the corner of Wellpark Ave and Garnet Rd fell about 12.30pm yesterday.

Police and firefighters were called when it was thought someone was inside the building. It was found to be empty.

Ponsonby station fire officer Shane Olsen said the area had high foot traffic and it was lucky that no one was under the awning when it collapsed. "When we arrived, we found the roof archway and awning lying on the footpath."

He said police contacted the owners and the Fire Service was working with Auckland Council building inspectors to decide the fate of the building.

"Ultimately, it will be the council who will determine whether the building can be salvaged or torn down."

A local worker said the building was vacant most of the time, but was sometimes used for meetings and counselling.