A major fire has broken out in Auckland's CBD.
Flames can be seen in the vicinity of the under-construction SkyCity convention centre.
Police are on the scene to assist fire crews and hundreds of people, including construction workers, have been evacuated.
There are about 10 fire trucks and a large number of police and ambulance staff on the scene.
A four-lane block of Hobson Street has been closed off to traffic.
Fire and emergency are advising people to stay out of the CBD area.
❗️UPDATE 1: Fire in Auckland CBD
Fire and Emergency are currently attending a fire in the Auckland CBD.
We received multiple calls at 1:10pm today to reports of flames at the New Zealand International Convention Centre.
People are advised to stay out of the CBD area.
— Fire and Emergency New Zealand (@FireEmergencyNZ) October 22, 2019
Photo: RNZ / Ellie Jay
A fire and emergency spokesperson, Jessica Chaplin, said they received multiple calls about flames at the site just after 1pm.
She said fire trucks are still on their way from all over Auckland.
Photo: RNZ / Claire Eastham-Farrelly
A witness says the flames appear to be spreading.
People have taken to social media to report on the fire.
SkyCity's $700 million International Convention Centre and hotel project which has been plagued by problems, including cost over-runs and construction delays.
The complex is being built by Fletcher Construction and SkyCity.
This afternoon, Fletcher Building's share price has dropped nearly one percent, while SkyCity's share price is down 2-and-a-quarter percent.
The casino operator has been hoping the convention centre and hotel complex would be completed by the end of next year in time for the America's Cup in 2021.
The project is set to cost several hundred million more than budget and is running two years late.
It was orginally budgeted to cost between $400 million and $500 million, but is now expected to cost more than $800m.
Fire is really building. People can be seen on the roof. pic.twitter.com/EFgQBaMYCJ
— Phil Goff (@phil_goff) October 22, 2019
Something smoky happening central Auck? @radionz pic.twitter.com/Nq917QGocg
— Alex Ashton (@AlexGPAshton) October 22, 2019
This doesn’t look good. Fire in down town Auckland - much black smoke pic.twitter.com/wca7LkPcoW
— notHamilton (@notHamiltonNZ) October 22, 2019
Fire in Auckland CBD. Photo: Supplied to RNZ
Earlier this year, the company pushed the completion date out to the second half of 2020 - a delay of six months, forcing a review of bookings.
The complex is being built by Fletcher Construction and SkyCity has already triggered penalty clauses in its contract which require Fletchers to pay damages.
It was expected the convention centre would be ready well in time for 2021, when Auckland hosts APEC and the America's Cup.
More to come...
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October 22, 2019 at 07:22AM
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