Authorities believe the fire was deliberately lit in the basement of a large apartment block in Newmarket. Photo: RNZ/ Liu Chen
A fire-affected building in the central Auckland suburb of Newmarket is deemed structurally safe, and residents who are left without power say they are desperate to return home.
The fire started at the basement of King's Square Apartments in Newmarket on Tuesday. Potable water has been restored but power is still out.
Auckland Council's compliance response and investigations manager Kerri Fergusson said building assessors visited the building yesterday and were satisfied it was structurally safe.
"Potable water has been connected to each apartment and building owners are actively working to restore electricity to the whole building, with restoring supply to fire alarm systems the priority," she said.
Fergusson said the council's emergency management duty team have provided portaloos and access to hot showers, and they were also working with the Newmarket Business Association and Kings Square Apartment's body corporate and building management to assist with immediate welfare needs.
Auckland Council's emergency management duty team have provided portaloos and access to hot showers to those affected. Photo: RNZ/ Liu Chen
One of around 200 people facing disruption, Parth Kolkarni has been staying in a hotel with his wife and son. He said they were told power was likely to be back on Friday, but there was no confirmation yet.
"It's getting a little difficult. We thought it would be done yesterday but it was not. We're not really comfortable about this. It's taking a little too long," he said.
The Newmarket Business Association chief executive Mark Knoff-Thomas said 25 businesses were still shut.
He said a nearby hotel had offered five rooms for residents, and others were looking for places with friends or family.
"(We're) reaching out for support from the community to see if anyone can help in terms of accommodation," Knoff-Thomas said.
A police spokesperson said enquiries were underway to investigate the blaze which they believed to be suspicious.
