All Auckland trains cancelled as large Favona fire prompts emergency alert warning of toxic smoke in area

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Auckland’s train network is completely down with KiwiRail asked to evacuate its control centre over a huge scrap metal fire in Favona.

The trains were down as KiwiRail’s network control centre had been evacuated due to smoke caused by the fire.

About 28 firefighters remain at the scene of the fire.

It’s not the first time firefighters have been called to this address – with this the third time in seven years.

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In 2018, it took firefighters 36 hours to extinguish the blaze at, what was then called Sims Pacific Metals. The fire consumed 1600 tonnes of waste material sending toxic plumes of toxic smoke throughout South Auckland.

Just a year earlier, in 2017, 12 fire trucks and two aerial appliances were called to battle a similar blaze.

A spokesperson for the business, now called Sims Metal, declined to comment when contacted by Stuff.

​ This morning’s fire has affected public transport with all train line services being held until further notice, an Auckland Travel Alert said.

Taxi vans will continue to run between Penrose and Onehunga until 10am, due to an earlier track fault.

Scheduled buses have been activated and will accept paper tickets.

Firefighters are fighting a blaze in South Auckland on Wednesday. Residents have been warned to keep doors and windows closed.

Ricky Wilson/Stuff

Firefighters are fighting a blaze in South Auckland on Wednesday. Residents have been warned to keep doors and windows closed.

At the scene of this morning’s fire, Gary Lane​, Assistant Fire Commander, Waitematā District​ said ​first arriving crews came across a fire within a “whole lot” of metal consisting of things like car parts and refrigerators.

“Fortunately, all those materials have been drained of dangerous liquids. The only thing we have that is possibly contaminating the smoke are the by-products of burning plastic.”

Lane said Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) had three diggers going through the debris.

“The plan is to keep separating all that metal and make sure we contain the fire which we are doing.”

A Stuff reporter said they could smell it from Manukau and the stench was “pretty bad” and similar to chlorine.

Toxic plumes of smoke can be seen over South Auckland after a scrapyard fire in Favona.

Ricky Wilson/Stuff

Toxic plumes of smoke can be seen over South Auckland after a scrapyard fire in Favona.

A Fenz spokesperson said they were called to the scene shortly after midnight and found a pile of scrap car parts on fire.

“On arrival fire trucks found a 70 by 70 metres,10 metres high pile of scrap metal on fire. Up to 30 trucks and support vehicles have attended the incident throughout this morning.”

The spokesperson said the fire is contained to the scrap metal pile, but would be burning for “some time”.

“The smoke plume is significant and is likely to remain that way throughout the day. There are concerns the smoke from the fire is toxic and may affect people in the area.”

Three diggers going through the debris in Favona.

Ricky Wilson/Stuff

Three diggers going through the debris in Favona.

Seven crews made up of roughly 28 firefighters were at the scene as of 8am Wednesday still working to extinguish the blaze, a Fenz spokesperson said.

Auckland City Council environmental and pollution officers are also in attendance at the fire.

Residents had been advised to close all windows and doors for at least the next two hours and to contact their health provider if they had any health issues.

An Emergency Message Alert was issued to the neighbourhoods south of the fire at 6am this morning asking residents to stay away from the smoke and keep doors and windows closed.

An emergency alert has been issued to residents in south Auckland.

Melanie Earley/Stuff

An emergency alert has been issued to residents in south Auckland.

Andy Russell​ living in Māngere East called the ​stench “horrendous”.

“I woke up to it at about 5.55am. The alert tells you to stay inside, but I see the trains are still coming and going from the station next door which is right next to Middlemore Hospital.”

Russell said it was the most “acrid smell” they’ve ever experienced.

A Stuff reporter at the scene said part of James Fletcher Drive remained closed shortly before 8am due to the fire.

Sims Metal​, where the fire broke out, is located in an industrial area surrounded by factories. A huge plume of smoke could be seen billowing into the sky.

A traffic controller said it was likely the road would remain closed “for some time”.

An Auckland Transport travel alert issued after 6am on Wednesday said due to an earlier fire a section of James Fletcher Dr, between beach Rd and Tui Rd, is closed.

“Avoid this area or expect delays with diversions in place affecting all traffic, including bus services.”

Bus route 324 services has been detoured, and 05 bus stops between Savill Dr and Walmsley Rd are impacted.

Know more? Contact mildred.armah@stuff.co.nz

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