Five fire crews have had to be decontaminated for asbestos exposure after a large fire tore through a car repair and storage building in south Auckland.
A specialist fire investigator, Linda McHugh, said the building was thickly covered in asbestos. Photo: RNZ / Lauren Baker
Fifteen fire engines were sent to the building on Wilkinson Road in Ellerslie at about 4am this morning.
A firefighter also had to be treated at the scene for breathing difficulties.
The fire, which caused extensive damage, took about an hour to contain. Up to 15 new pickup trucks parked outside were also burnt.
A specialist fire investigator, Linda McHugh, said the building was thickly covered in asbestos.
"Once we try and move it, it's setting off dust and asbestos everywhere, which puts a danger to us," she said.
"In addition, the floor has been completely compromised and it drops to about a three-metre basement so we have to be extremely careful to the dangers of investigating a fire at this stage."
She said the fire was not being treated as suspicious.
Second fire in Auckland
An investigation is also underway into an early morning fire at the East Coast Bays RSA in Browns Bay.
The fire has caused extensive smoke damage throughout and a fire investigator said it was unlikely to re-open for some time.
It is also not considered suspicious at this stage.
