NATIONAL NEWS:- Auckland SkyCity convention centre blaze: Firefighters move to ‘mop up’ operations

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A large inferno at the SkyCity Convention Centre is under control. Firefighters now plan to move into mop-up operations.

There were hopes the fire would be put out on Wednesday evening but flames appeared again early on Thursday. Fire and Emergency NZ said about 9.15 am the fire was “under control and less visible”.”Firefighters are still dampening hot spots to prevent any flare-ups.

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Mayor Phil Goff took to Twitter to say the fire was out, but then added it was “still an emergency and operations are ongoing”.

Specialist rescue workers and a large crane had been brought in to help tackle the blaze.. Photo / Stuff

“Flare-ups are possible. The debris needs to be turned. Roads are still closed and we do need your co-operation. Please continue to listen to what emergency services have to say,” Goff said.

Earlier on Thursday morning, FENZ said remaining sections of the roof of the convention centre continued to burn on Wednesday night, “but the fire has significantly reduced in size and we expect to move into mop-up operations later today”.

Goff said he had been working on contingency plans for alternative locations for the APEC event.  He hoped that life in the city will be starting to come back to normal on Thursday.

People are wearing face masks as they travel in the CBD to stop breathing in the toxic smoke. Photo / Stuff

THURSDAY COMMUTE

Auckland Transport has warned motorists and people taking public transport to expect diversions and significant delays once again.

Road closures on Wellesley St (west from Victoria to Nelson and between Nelson and Hobson), Nelson St (between Cook and Victoria) and Hobson St (between Victoria and Wellesley) were expected to remain through Thursday’s morning peak, AT said.

It advised people to avoid the city centre areas and not to stop and take photographs of the fire, and suggested anyone travelling to the city centre avoid peak hour traffic, leave extra time and check the Auckland Transport website, Facebook or Twitter for updates.

AT have advised anyone who can to work from home, or a non-central location, or start work at a later time.

AT staff in orange hi-vis vests were dotted around various bus stops in the city to direct passengers to alternative places to catch the bus.

The city bus services that are still affected by detours are: NX2, 101, 22A, 22N, 22R, 221X, 223X, 24B, 24R, 24W, 243X, and 248X bus.

Detours were also required for 82, 802, 923, and 924, as well as 75 bus services.

Further detours were required for 18, 151X, 171X, 172X, 195X, and 209 bus services, as well as 105 and 106 services.

The Outer Link bus service was also affected.

Source: Stuff

Featured Image: Firefighters expected to move into mop-up operations on Thursday. Photo / Stuff

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