User:Rileyseyes

Auckland SkyCity Convention Centre Fire, October 2019.

This is a major ongoing incident - information is still developing and is likely to change.

“This article requires more information.”

The Auckland Skycity Convention Fire is an ongoing large scale blaze in Auckland, New Zealand.

The fire is believed to have started at around 1pm on Tuesday 22nd November and continues to burn as of Wednesday morning. The fire is believed to have started when rubber cladding caught fire after a blowtorch was left unattended on the rooftop of the still-under-construction convention centre

The NZD $700 million multi purpose event centre was due to be opened in 2020 - however this is now in doubt until the blaze can be contained and engineers can perform damage assessments on the building.

Auckland City Central Business District has been covered in a layer of thick, acrid and highly toxic smoke - workers and residents have been advised to stay away from the CBD and take necessary precautions to avoid inhaling the smoke.

At least 21 Fire appliances are responding to the blaze - strong gales and winds as well as the unfinished nature of the convention centre are making attempts to extinguish the blaze very difficult for fire crews.

One person has been reported to be in serious condition as a result of the blaze, and a firefighter has been hospitalized for smoke inhalation.

As of Wednesday morning it has been reported that the fire is under control and that fire crews are allowing the roof to fully burn in order to save the wider structure.

Due to the length of time the fire has been burning, as well as damage caused by firefighting efforts and poor weather, damage is believed to be extensive.