31 May 2023

South Auckland scrapyard fire brings the city's trains to a standstill

From Nine To Noon, 10:30 am on 31 May 2023
Smoke over James Fletcher Drive on Wednesday morning.

Smoke over James Fletcher Drive on Wednesday morning. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

The entire Auckland train network has been suspended following a large toxic blaze at a scrapyard in the suburb of Favona. It has caused the evacuation of the city's Train Control Centre which is in the zone of the poisonous fumes.  

AT says train services will be disrupted until further notice. The evacuation follows an earlier emergency message alert which asked residents of neighbourhoods south of the fire to stay away from the smoke and keep doors and windows closed. 

RNZ reporter Felix Walton is at Penrose Rail station.