A major fire has broken out in the Willeston Centre, central Wellington, sending black plumes of smoke across the city.
Cordons are in place and people are asked to avoid the area around Hunter and Willeston Sts.
Police said the building had been cleared of people and no one is reported injured or unaccounted for.
Wellington mayor Justin Lester has asked in a tweet that people avoid the area.
He said he could smell smoke from the council offices on Wakefield St.
