‘Fierce’ fire at Ponsonby Intermediate School, smoke seen in Auckland

Fire crews are fighting a “fierce” fire at a school in central Auckland.

North Shore Aucklanders and western suburbs can watch smoke rise throughout the city after the Ponsonby Middle School fire broke out.

The fire is in the school’s techdome, which is where art and textiles classes are held.

Police have blocked nearby streets and ambulance personnel are on the scene. It is unclear if anyone was injured. The fire is believed to have started shortly after 4 p.m.

Duncan Shand of nearby creative agency YoungShand said he saw flames leaping 30 feet into the air.

“It was fierce,” he said.

“It was out of control.”

He said the fire was coming from the back of the school and appeared to be confined to one block.

“That school block is completely gone.

“A lot of things were falling.”

He said that once firefighters arrived, the fire was brought under control fairly quickly.

“The whole building was on fire,” Shand said.

Year 8 student Maddie Reece said the fire was terrifying:

“I graduated in 2 days,” he said.

Iris Archer is also in her eighth year. He says it’s pretty bad, as it looks like they’ll have to rebuild the classroom.

There are many technological equipments in the rooms.

Sooner