Massive explosion, fireball in Auckland yard, at least 12 cars destroyed

A massive explosion and fireball rocked the western suburbs of Auckland earlier today, destroying at least a dozen vehicles.

Thick black smoke filled the sky in western Auckland after cars caught fire in the yard of a New Lynn wrecker.

The images show the fire shooting flames and smoke into the air. Witnesses on social media described being awakened by the explosion.

Northern Fire and Emergency Shift Manager Carren Larking said multiple calls about the fire had been received since 1.06 a.m.

“Some people said it was just a grass fire, others said it was a burning transformer, but on arrival we found 12-15 cars on fire in the yard of a wrecker truck.”

It took four fire trucks and crews to extinguish the fire, on Great North Rd, between Clark St and Rata St.

They had all gone home before 6 a.m., Larking said. A fire investigator would return to the scene in daylight to see what caused the fire.

A reporter at the scene said police had cordoned off the area, while another witness said police detectives attended.

Larking said the police were often dispatched to large fire brigade jobs, as the public often called them as well, and an ambulance was often called as a precaution.

She had not been informed of any concerns about toxic contaminants involved in the fire.

More to come