The scene of the fire at Kings Square Apartments in Newmarket. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
About 200 residents and more than 20 businesses are dealing with the aftermath of a massive fire in a central Auckland suburb.
Authorities believe the fire was deliberately lit in the basement of a large apartment block in Newmarket.
Business owners said the fire had caused huge losses - among them was No1. Chicken owner Soonyoung Kwon said he had lost about $2000 as a result of business loss and wasted stock.
"The electricity went out so my stock is no good, so (we have to) throw it out."
Soonyoung Kwon said he lost about $2000 worth of stock. Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen
Hairstylist Mark Sun was cleaning up but was be able to do any business.
The loss was huge, as many appointments had been cancelled, he said.
"Today we can't open because we can't do any work as there is no power, no water."
'Today we can't open, said hairstylist Mark Sun. Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen
Newmarket Business Association chief executive Mark Knoff-Thomas said there were still 25 businesses unable to operate.
Getting water and power back on was the priority, but as the damage was so extensive that there was not a confirmed time for that.
"The businesses in this particular part of the square, they can't open because they have suffered structural damage to their businesses. Some of the windows and doors got damaged in the fire yesterday."
Knoff-Thomas said Auckland Council was providing help if anyone needed a shelter.
"They stood up the civil defence operation to have people evacuated to a safe place to go in Parnell. It's still on standby now in case it needs to be put into operation."
He had also seen CCTV footage of young people in the area at the time the fire started.
A police spokesperson said they believed the fire was suspicious and they were working with Fire and Emergency to investigate.
Auckland Council's Licensing and Regulatory Compliance general manager Mervyn Chetty said compliance officers had been on site alongside structural engineers to carry out assessments.
"Yesterday, we instructed the body corporate to carry out temporary structural remedial work, which included bracing to structural elements of the building.
"Council building inspectors are visiting the site this morning to ensure this has been carried out to sufficient standards.
"We also requested they reconnect the water and electricity supply today and we are awaiting confirmation that this has been carried out. If the power or water is unable to be reconnected, then we will be looking at what further action may be necessary."
