Large scrap metal fire contained: 'It's been hard work'

11:44 am on 8 March 2018

Firefighters have extinguished a large scrap-metal fire that broke out in a south Auckland yard more than 24 hours ago.

The fire at the scrap metal yard in Favona, as seen from the end of Kiwi Street.

The fire at the scrap metal yard in Favona started in the early hours of yesterday morning. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang

At its height, more than 80 firefighters and 20 fire engines battled the blaze, which engulfed 1600-tonnes of scrap metal, in the suburb of Favona.

Fire and Emergency said crews remained at the Sims Pacific Scrap Metals site overnight, with about 20 firefighters working through the night.

Incident controller Chris Power said the fire is now out and crews are working to dampen any hotspots.

They are expected to remain there for the next couple of hours.

Mr Power said it's been hard, dirty work for the crews.

"Our firefighters have worked extremely hard, many working through the night and the early hours of the morning to get this blaze under control," he said.

Yesterday excavators were used to help break up the pile of scrap metal to make it easier to put the fire out.

Road closures around the fire have been lifted and the cause of the fire is yet to be established.