Sarah McMillan/cvnznews.com
A major fire at a power facility in Auckland’s industrial suburb of Penrose has sent thick black smoke billowing across the city and caused widespread power outages.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews were called to the blaze on McNab Street shortly after 3.20pm on Thursday, with multiple fire appliances responding as flames threatened nearby buildings. Authorities confirmed the fire was at a Vector facility in Penrose.
Witnesses reported seeing large plumes of smoke visible from several kilometres away, with some Aucklanders on the North Shore able to see the smoke cloud rising above the city skyline.
Firefighters deployed aerial appliances and worked to prevent the fire from spreading to neighbouring properties. Emergency services said everyone at the site had been accounted for, although one person was being assessed by ambulance staff. Information about the extent of any injuries was not immediately available.
The blaze also triggered significant electricity disruptions across parts of Auckland. Police said power outages were reported in Penrose and surrounding suburbs, with several intersections left without functioning traffic lights. Officers were deployed to assist with traffic management and urged motorists to exercise caution.
Residents in Ellerslie, Greenlane and Mt Wellington reported losing power during the incident, while some fuel stations and businesses were forced to temporarily close.
Radio New Zealand reported the fire was burning at a Vector substation, with electricity supplies affected in numerous parts of the city as emergency crews responded.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established.
As firefighters continued battling the blaze late Thursday afternoon, authorities were advising members of the public to avoid the immediate area where possible and remain alert for traffic disruptions caused by the power outage.
The incident quickly became one of Auckland’s most visible emergency responses of the day, with dramatic images of thick black smoke circulating across social media as crews worked to bring the fire under control.
