[ad_1]
An emergency alert has been issued to residents in South Auckland warning of a large fire at a scrap metal yard on James Fletcher Drive in Favona.
The alert was issued shortly after 6am on Wednesday and warned residents of toxic smoke in the vicinity.
“Please close all windows and doors. If you have any health issues, contact your health provider,” the alert said.
A Stuff reporter said they could smell it from Manukau and the stench was “pretty bad” and similar to chlorine.
READ MORE:
* Large fire in Auckland’s Favona prompts emergency alert warning of toxic smoke in area
* Takanini fire: ‘Explosions’ as blaze breaks out at Auckland freight moving company
* SkyCity Auckland fire: How to clean your house after exposure to ‘toxic’ smoke
Ricky Wilson/Stuff
Firefighters are fighting a blaze in South Auckland on Wednesday. Residents have been warned to keep doors and windows closed.
A Fire and Emergency NZ (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.”
Ricky Wilson/Stuff
Toxic plumes of smoke can be seen over South Auckland after a scrapyard fire 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.
Andy Russell living in Māngere East called the stench “horrendous”.
Melanie Earley/Stuff
An emergency alert has been issued to residents in south Auckland.
“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.
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
MORE TO COME
[ad_2]