People were seen running from a large building fire at a backpackers in Auckland's Parnell this afternoon.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), St John and police were all on the scene, with 16 fire trucks being used to battle the blaze at its height around 4.30pm.
FENZ said the fire is now contained in an update just after 7pm.
Footage provided to 1News showed a crowd gathering on the street watching on as the blaze consumed the property.
An eyewitness said they saw people running from the inferno when it first broke out.
Assistant Commander Gary Lane said crews will remain on standby overnight to monitor the situation.
The cause of the fire will begin to be investigated by FENZ tomorrow.
St John said there are currently no injuries to report, but the situation is ongoing.
A man called Benjamin, who had been staying at the backpackers for the last three weeks, told 1News there were around 10 people living there before it went up in flames.
"I heard a smoke alarm go off then smoke started billowing into my room then I saw the whole hallway was black with smoke so I jumped out a window onto the roof and got out of there."
ACT Party leader and MP for Epsom David Seymour also visited the scene of the fire around 6.30pm.
"The main priority is to make sure everyone got out safely and that they have a place to sleep tonight," Seymour told 1News.
Seymour is the local MP for the Parnell area which falls under Epsom. (Source: 1News)
Police had taken a person into custody after reports of disorder at the property, but they have since been released without being charged.
The public are being asked to avoid the area while emergency services remain at the scene.
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