Source: Radio New Zealand
Parts of Auckland’s Northcote College have been destroyed in a fire which broke out during a firefighters strike.
Fire and Emergency NZ said they were called to the school about 12.15pm on Friday.
Smoke could be seen from the Harbour Bridge, billowing from the school’s sports pavillion, a large wooden hall with a high pointed roof.
Fire at Northcote College on Auckland’s North Shore. Finn Blackwell
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said the first call about the fire came in at 12.17pm, during a one-hour strike by the Professional Firefighters Union.
It took the volunteer Silverdale crew about 17 minutes to arrive at the school.
It appeared they had been close to the area for another job.
The first career firefighters arrived at 1.13pm, he said.
Communications call centre staff were also on strike for the hour, with managers taking 111 calls and cooridinating call-outs.
On social media, a school spokesperson said: “There is an active fire at Northcote College in the sports pavilion. The fire service is here.
“All students have been evacuated to the other end of the school and are safe.”
Facebook / Northcote College
On its website, a spokesperson said the school would be closing for the day at 2pm.
“Some students may not have their bag because of the evacuation. We are asking students to go home, if they can, without their bag. Students who are unable to get home or need to call home are meeting in the hall and will be supported by staff.
“An email to all students and whānau with further information will be sent later today.”
The building was 121 years old and was a protected historic building.
RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Auckland Council listed it as a category A heritage listing, meaning it had outstanding historical and aesthetic significance.
It was influenced by popular styles from the time, including Queen Anne and Edwardian Classical, a council document said.
“Opened in 1905, it was built to address issues of overcrowding at the original 1877 school, and therefore provides evidence of the rapid expansion of the suburb and its population during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth centuries,” it said.
“The school also continues to represent important aspects of collective memory and identity for the generations of students and teachers who used this place from 1905 and continue to use it today.”
Fire at Northcote College on Auckland’s North Shore. Finn Blackwell
Just last month another large fire broke out during strike action.
A building in Pakuranga was completely destroyed by fire and a person was seriously hurt.
At the time, Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown said he was “angry” on behalf of those impacted by the fire due to it happening during the strike.
“Union action that delays a response to an emergency is quite frankly reckless and the union needs to put a stop to these reckless strikes which endanger lives, homes, and businesses.”
New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union secretary Wattie Watson said contingencies were meant to be put in place during the strike.
Northcote MP Dan Bidois thanked local police and firefighters from across Auckland for the quick response – and to the school staff for an “orderly fire evacuation”.
“Glad everyone is safe.”
Bidois said the building on fire was used to store gym equipment.
On social media, North Shore councillor Richard Hills said it was “so sad” to see another fire at the school.
Damage to the building is severe. RNZ / Marika Khabazi
“It will be hugely upsetting to students, staff and school whānau, especially as they’re just getting back to normal, after the previous fire, and recent opening of new and upgraded buildings post construction.
Hills said it was likely to cause traffic delays in surrounding areas and urged people to stay away if they didn’t need to be there.
RNZ / Marika Khabazi
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
