* An earlier version of this story incorrectly attributed quotes to the CEO of FENZ Kerry Gregory when they should have been attributed to NZPFU vice president Martin Campbell.
Parts of Auckland's Northcote College have been destroyed in a fire which broke out during a firefighters strike.
Fire and Emergency NZ said they were called to the school about 12.15pm on Friday.
Smoke could be seen from the Harbour Bridge, billowing from the school's sports pavillion, a large wooden hall with a high pointed roof.
Fire at Northcote College on Auckland's North Shore. Photo: Finn Blackwell
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said the first call about the fire came in at 12.17pm, during a one-hour strike by the Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU).
It took the volunteer Silverdale crew about 17 minutes to arrive at the school.
It appeared they had been close to the area for another job.
The first career firefighters arrived at 1.13pm, he said.
Communications call centre staff were also on strike for the hour, with managers taking 111 calls and coordinating call-outs.
Northcote College principal Vicki Barrie said she was proud of how staff and students responded to the fire in the sports pavillion.
Photo: Facebook / Northcote College
She said the fire service was now investigating the cause of the fire.
"We are sad to have lost a heritage building, the oldest building on the school site, which has served the school community for over a century."
Support was being offered to staff and students, she said.
School would be opened as usual on Monday morning.
The building was 121 years old and was a protected historic building.
Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Auckland Council listed it as a category A heritage listing, meaning it had outstanding historical and aesthetic significance.
It was influenced by popular styles from the time, including Queen Anne and Edwardian Classical, a council document said.
"Opened in 1905, it was built to address issues of overcrowding at the original 1877 school, and therefore provides evidence of the rapid expansion of the suburb and its population during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth centuries," it said.
"The school also continues to represent important aspects of collective memory and identity for the generations of students and teachers who used this place from 1905 and continue to use it today."
Fire at Northcote College on Auckland's North Shore. Photo: Finn Blackwell
NZPFU vice president Martin Campbell said the delay in firefighters getting to the fire was on Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
"Despite 19 months of bargaining, [they] have failed to provide a fair and reasonable offer to NZPFU membership. Volunteer firefighters did an amazing job containing the fire until the arrival of career firefighters with specialist capabilities."
Campbell said volunteer firefighters shouldn't be placed in that position by Fire and Emergency.
"The NZPFU is fighting for safe systems of work which directly impact the availability of firefighters and reliable fire appliances and equipment to protect the public at their time of need."
Just last month another large fire broke out during strike action.
A building in Pakuranga was completely destroyed by fire and a person was seriously hurt.
At the time, Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown said he was "angry" on behalf of those impacted by the fire due to it happening during the strike.
"Union action that delays a response to an emergency is quite frankly reckless and the union needs to put a stop to these reckless strikes which endanger lives, homes, and businesses."
New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union secretary Wattie Watson said contingencies were meant to be put in place during the strike.
Northcote MP Dan Bidois thanked local police and firefighters from across Auckland for the quick response - and to the school staff for an "orderly fire evacuation".
"Glad everyone is safe."
Bidois said the building on fire was used to store gym equipment.
On social media, North Shore councillor Richard Hills said it was "so sad" to see another fire at the school.
Damage to the building is severe. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
"It will be hugely upsetting to students, staff and school whānau, especially as they're just getting back to normal, after the previous fire, and recent opening of new and upgraded buildings post construction.
Hills said it was likely to cause traffic delays in surrounding areas and urged people to stay away if they didn't need to be there.
Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
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