RNZ, Auckland, January 23, 2019
Almost 100 fire fighters were at the scene of a large fire at a school in the Auckland suburb of Mt Eden this afternoon.
The fire at Auckland Normal Intermediate school. Photo: RNZ / Ellie Jay
The fire broke out at Auckland Normal Intermediate School at about 230 pm, starting in the roof of one building and quickly spread to two others.
The buildings are the last remaining historic buildings at the School and include the Hall, the Music Block and Specialist Classrooms.
Under Control
Fire and Emergency area commander Richard Twomey said that fires in two of the buildings were under control, but they were still battling with the third.
One of the problems they faced was that firefighters could not get into the roof voids to tackle the blaze that way.
Six neighbouring properties have been evacuated as a precaution.
No one has been injured.
The fire at the Auckland Normal Intermediate school. Photo: RNZ / Ellie Jay
Mr Twomey said that fire crews could be at the scene until tomorrow morning.
Cause not known
The cause of the fire isn’t yet known, but investigators will be looking into that, Mr Twomey said.
Fire crews from around Auckland have responded to the fire.
Auckland Normal Intermediate principal Jill Farquharson said that they were having a Teacher-Only day at the School today.
They heard the fire alarm go off and went outside and saw the smoke and flames, she said.
“It’s quite traumatic to see, it’s like your own house really.”
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