By 1news.co.nz and is republished with permission

Residents have been urged to close windows and doors as emergency services work to extinguish a fire at a car wrecking yard in the Auckland suburb of Favona.

Emergency services were called to the Titi St address to reports of a “well-involved” fire just after 10.30am on Saturday.

Fire and Emergency NZ said the fire was contained after eight fire trucks and multiple support vehicles including ladder trucks responded the fire.

Incident Controller Phil Larcombe said: “We ask people to stay away from the immediate area around Titi Street to avoid the smoke and to allow emergency teams to work. Those close by should stay indoors with their windows shut.”

‘Close your windows’: Fire at car wrecking yard in Auckland

Residents have been urged to avoid the area due to a “large volume of smoke”.

Residents have been urged to avoid the area due to a “large volume of smoke”.

Smoke was ‘overwhelming’ — shop manager

Nearby fruit and vegetable retail manager Sally Matafeo told 1News she was preparing for the lunchtime rush when “thick, heavy smoke” began to billow into the shop.

“It was the smell of burning tires, and it’s always safety first so we had to bring the roller door down.”

Smoke continued to make its way into the store despite Matefeo turning on fans and opening vents, prompting customers and staff to evacuate.

She said the fumes coming through the store were “overwhelming”.

“I wasn’t sure what was going to happen.”

Fire crews have contained and are working to extinguish a fire at a car wrecking yard in Favona.
Fire crews have contained and are working to extinguish a fire at a car wrecking yard in Favona. (Source: 1News)

A police spokesperson said officers were assisting with traffic management around the site.

“A number of surrounding roads are closed and diversions are in place.”

A 1News reporter on the scene said a police cordon was in place at the intersection of Favona Rd and Savill Dr, blocking access to James Fletcher Dr.

There is a “large volume of smoke” in the area, the spokesperson added.

Smoke from the fire was visible from Te Atatu South, nearly 20km away.