Fire is threatening to collapse a storage facility near Wellington Airport.
Thirteen fire trucks are fighting the blaze from the outside of the Kilbirnie building because of a danger to the building's structure, a Fire Service spokesman said.
Earlier this morning fire fighters were inside the facility.
The blaze at the two-storey Kiwi Self Storage on Rongotai Rd has been raging since 12.45am. At 7.30am it began reigniting in several places and is still burning, the spokesman said.
There was no threat to houses or businesses surrounding the storage facility, the spokesman said.
Smoke was visible from the airport but flights have not been affected so far, a Fire Service spokeswoman said.
WITNESS KEPT AWAKE
Rongotai Rd resident Tere Harrison lives directly opposite the storage facility and said she hasn't slept since 1am when fire sirens woke her.
The air was still thick with smoke and the early-morning clouds were glowing with flames, Harrison said.
Elderly and pregnant neighbours of Harrison's left their homes in the night for fear of smoke inhalation, she said.
Their homes were never threatened by the fire.
The main storage building is blackened and appears to be destroyed, Harrison said.
However, smaller units out front, many of which house classic cars, have escaped the blaze, she said.
AUCKLAND FIRE
Meanwhile, the Fire Service is investigating an overnight blaze at a warehouse in the Auckland suburb of Onehunga.
Fifteen fire engines and 65 firefighters attended, northern communications shift manager Colin Underdown said.
The Fire Service received several calls about 12.10am.
One fire engine remained at the scene on standby.
Source: The Dominion Post
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