ARN News Centre

New Zealand battles to control blaze at convention centre

Tuesday, 22 October 2019 10:35

Around 23 fire trucks have joined the operation to douse a massive blaze that broke out at the SkyCity convention centre in Auckland.

Footage shared on social media showed black smoke billowing over the central business district, with health officials urging residents to take precautions against smoke inhalation.

There were no reports of injuries and the owner of the site said everyone had been evacuated.

The nearby Sky Tower, New Zealand's tallest building, has been closed until further notice.

There was no immediate official word on the cause of the fire or how many people had been at the centre when the fire broke out.

More from International

US-Iran peace talks end without agreement, delegations leave Pakistan

The US and Iran failed to reach an agreement to end their war despite marathon talks that concluded on Sunday in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, jeopardising a fragile ceasefire.
At least 30 dead in stampede at Haiti’s historic Laferriere Citadel

At least 30 people were killed on Saturday in a stampede at the Laferriere Citadel in the northern countryside of Haiti, authorities said, warning that the death toll could rise.
Cyclone lashes New Zealand's North Island, hundreds evacuated

A cyclone battered New Zealand's North Island on Sunday, cutting power to thousands of residents and forcing hundreds to evacuate, as officials warned conditions would worsen through the day.
US-Iran talks pause for now, disagreements remain

Negotiations between the United States and Iran appeared to have concluded for now, Iran's government has announced early on Sunday, after a series of talks in Pakistan to end the six-week war between Washington and Tehran.
Costa Rica receives first group of deported migrants under agreement with US

Costa Rica on Saturday has received the first group of migrants from other countries deported from the United States under an agreement signed in March between the two countries, local authorities said.