Scores of firefighters have put out a fire on the roof of an Auckland CBD high rise which may have started during construction taking place on the building.
Passersby were seen gathering and gazing up at smoke billowing from the top of the building while police controlled the scene.
The roof fire - believed to have started after an explosion during demolition works - has been extinguished.
Fire communications shift manager Dallas Ramsay said about 50 firefighters attended the incident at the corner of Mayoral Drive and Queen St.
"We received a notification of a fire just after 3pm.
"The fire itself is contained to a large metal box on top of the building, the building is possibly under construction."
She was not able to confirm if anyone was in the building.
Fire crews were trying to get water up to the roof to put it out earlier this afternoon.
The former office building is owned by Russell Property Group, which is planning to convert it into a 250-room hotel.
The former office block is being converted into a new Four Points by Sheraton hotel, expected to open this year.
Russell Property Group owner Brett Russell said a demolition subcontractor had been working in the plant room on top of the roof when the fire started.
