Tradie on a smoko break accidentally sets alight new $700million Auckland convention centre

Tradie on a smoko break ‘accidentally sets alight’ new $700million Auckland convention centre – as firefighters desperately try to tame raging blaze

  • A huge blaze erupted at Auckland’s SkyCity convention centre in New Zealand 
  • The $700 million building near the Sky Tower has been under construction
  • A construction worker allegedly started fire by leaving blow torch unattended
  • One person has been rushed to hospital suffering from serious smoke inhalation

A construction worker is believed to have started a massive blaze at Auckland’s SkyCity convention centre by leaving his blow torch unattended while he went on a smoke break.

Fire crews have been working tirelessly to tame the raging fire that broke out at the new $700 million building in central Auckland, near the iconic Sky Tower, on Tuesday afternoon. 

The blaze reportedly broke out on the roof where construction staff had been using blowtorches to seal waterproof material. 

One person suffered serious injuries from smoke inhalation and was rushed to hospital.

One person suffered serious injuries from smoke inhalation and was rushed to hospital

Dave Woon, Assistant Area Commander for Fire and Emergency NZ Auckland told reporters the fire was moving quickly and was a 'very challenging fire to fight'

Dave Woon, Assistant Area Commander for Fire and Emergency NZ Auckland told reporters the fire was moving quickly and was a ‘very challenging fire to fight’

Dave Woon, Assistant Area Commander for Fire and Emergency NZ Auckland told reporters the fire was moving quickly and was a ‘very challenging fire to fight’.

‘It is a large fire involving gas cylinders that started around the roof and guttering area and there is insulation on fire that appears to be straw making it a very challenging fire to extinguish. 

‘We are currently fighting the fire in an offensive attack mode.

‘We are not on top of the fire, but with the resources that have just arrived we should be able to make progress.’

Additional crews were called in from outside the region to help fight the fire. 

Fire crews have been working tirelessly to tame the raging fire that broke out at the new $700 million building in central Auckland, near the iconic Sky Tower, on Tuesday afternoon

Fire crews have been working tirelessly to tame the raging fire that broke out at the new $700 million building in central Auckland, near the iconic Sky Tower, on Tuesday afternoon

The blaze reportedly broke out on the roof where construction staff had been using blowtorches to seal waterproof material

The blaze reportedly broke out on the roof where construction staff had been using blowtorches to seal waterproof material

Hundreds of nearby workers were forced to evacuate the area while emergency crews attempt to bring the fire under control.

The roads surrounding the area have been blocked off, forcing traffic to a standstill.

Pedestrians have been forced to shield their faces as the thick black smoke continues to cover the city. 

Police issued a warning as the smoke may be toxic. 

A number of tradesmen at the scene told Stuff a crane operator near the building had spotted the fire and hit the alarm. 

Fire crews are still at scene of the massive blaze in Auckland, New Zealand on Tuesday

Fire crews are still at scene of the massive blaze in Auckland, New Zealand on Tuesday 

A number of tradesmen at the scene told Stuff a crane operator near the building had spotted the fire and hit the alarm

A number of tradesmen at the scene told Stuff a crane operator near the building had spotted the fire and hit the alarm

Hundreds of nearby workers were forced to evacuate the area while emergency crews attempt to bring the fire under control

Hundreds of nearby workers were forced to evacuate the area while emergency crews attempt to bring the fire under control

The controversial convention centre was paid for by SkyCity after they made a deal with the government allowing it to extend its casino licence to 2048. The agreement also allowed 230 poker machines and 40 gaming tables.

The project was set back in February after it was discovered aluminium panels the centre were made of the same material used in the fatal Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017.

The building was expected to be opened in 2020. 

Thick smoke can be seen billowing across the city skyline, many people claim the smoke may be toxic

Thick smoke can be seen billowing across the city skyline, many people claim the smoke may be toxic

The controversial convention centre was paid for by SkyCity after they made a deal with the government allowing it to extend its casino licence to 2048. The agreement also allowed 230 poker machines and 40 gaming tables

The controversial convention centre was paid for by SkyCity after they made a deal with the government allowing it to extend its casino licence to 2048. The agreement also allowed 230 poker machines and 40 gaming tables

The project was set back in February after it was discovered aluminium panels the centre were made of the same material used in the fatal Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017

The project was set back in February after it was discovered aluminium panels the centre were made of the same material used in the fatal Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017



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