Auckland's Māngere East was the scene of a dramatic fire on Sunday, where a block of two-story units still under construction was engulfed in flames. Emergency services responded swiftly, deploying eleven fire trucks to the site on Hain Avenue at 12:29 PM.

According to a spokesperson from Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), approximately half of the units in the block were on fire. The construction stage of the units meant there was no immediate indication of anyone being inside, which allowed crews to focus on containing the blaze without the added pressure of rescuing occupants.

Jerome Tauevihi, a resident living next door to the affected block, described the harrowing experience to an RNZ reporter. He recounted that his family returned home to the smell of smoke and quickly evacuated. "We got inside the house, and then that's when we smelled the flames [...] so I told my family to evacuate, come up to the road, straight away," he said. Tauevihi noted that about four of the nine new units appeared to be affected, with the fire spreading rapidly.

Firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish the flames and dampen down hotspots. By the time the fire was fully contained, the situation had been brought under control. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no injuries have been reported so far.

The incident highlights the importance of fire safety in construction zones, where flammable materials and ongoing building activities can pose unique risks. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough review of the site to determine the origin of the fire and to assess any potential safety violations.

Residents in the area have been advised to remain vigilant and to follow official updates as more information becomes available. The community is coming together to support those affected and to ensure that such incidents are minimized in the future.