Eight brigades were called to a roof fire at Botany Town Centre on Sunday morning, and shoppers were sent out to the car park twice before being allowed back in.
A fire on the roof of Botany Town Centre sent thick black smoke over nearby suburbs this morning and forced shoppers out to the car park.
The fire began in an air-conditioning unit on the roof of the three-storey building that holds the cinema, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said. It was alerted at 9.28am and the fire was out shortly before midday.
Eight brigades attended, Howick’s among them, and crews worked inside and outside the building with water jets and an aerial appliance.
The alarm sounded just before 10am and smoke was seen coming from above the food court.
The centre was cleared and about 100 people stood outside while crews worked. Shoppers were sent out a second time shortly after 1pm and then allowed back in.
The crews came from Otahuhu, Otara, Papatoetoe, Howick, Ellerslie, Parnell, Onehunga and Manurewa. Police were called to help at about 10am. Hato Hone St John sent a rapid response unit and a manager to stand by. Neither was needed.
Three crews stayed on to watch the site and the rest left. Road closures and diversions around the centre were likely to hold up traffic into the afternoon.
Botany Town Centre has more than 200 stores and businesses. The cinema on the top floor has eight theatres. The largest seats 283 people.
Fire and Emergency is looking into what started the fire.
