Health warnings are being issued in Auckland amid fears that the smoke pouring out of the massive fire at SkyCity's convention centre could make people sick.
Plumes of black smoke have been billowing from the building for hours - building materials including bitumen and insulation are burning.
Auckland Regional Public Health is urging anyone near the fire to stay indoors, close windows, turn off air conditioning and wipe down surfaces which may have been affected by smoke.
The fire has brought central Auckland to a standstill with road closures and cordons still in place - people are being urged to avoid the area if at all possible.
St John says one person has been admitted to Auckland Hospital in a serious condition.
The blaze, which broke out on the seventh floor around 1pm, caused the evacuation of hundreds of construction workers.
One of those workers, Harry Johnson, says he was just having his lunch when the fire alarm started sounding.
Staff have now been told to head home for the night - however many still have keys and wallets inside the building.
Thomas Harre from Fire and Emergency Auckland joins Lisa Owen with the details.
