Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel
Wakefield Street in central Auckland has re-opened after a fire caused disruption on Friday afternoon.
Police assisted with road closures near Queen Street while 12 fire appliances responded to the fire on the 16th floor of a building under construction.
Dozens of construction workers were evacuated.
Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel
Fire Service assistant commander at the scene, Barry Thomas, said the big response was partly because of the size of the building and the fact it was in a busy area.
He said one of the usual sources that helps pumps water to higher floors was not available.
Auckland firefighters had to request that a back-up aerial unit be sent from Hamilton because one of Auckland's two units was out of action after it failed during a fire last month.
The Hamilton truck was eventually turned back because a road was closed and the fire was under control.
However Fenz said only one aerial appliance was assessed to be needed, despite others being available.
"Initially, due to the scale of the fire being uncertain, additional specialist fleet was mobilised as a precautionary measure, which is standard practice," said a Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson.
"Hamilton specifically was mobilised early because of the travel distance. However, this mobilisation was cancelled upon further assessment of the incident's scale and complexity."
Earlier, witnesses near the Wakefield Street address said they have not seen fire or smoke.
A spokesperson said two fire trucks remained at the scene.
The building has been evacuated. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel
