On Thursday, a fire erupted near an electricity substation in Auckland’s Penrose suburb, leaving three people injured, one of whom is in serious condition, Xinhua reported. The blaze was seen as a thick plume of black smoke rose over the area, and emergency crews were on site within minutes.
According to Radio New Zealand, up to 12 fire engines attended the scene and were seen battling the flames while addressing potential electrical hazards. St John Ambulance was notified at 3:29 p.m. local time and dispatched a rapid‑response unit, the service said, as part of its standard emergency response protocol.
Police, in a statement, noted that power outages had been reported at several intersections in Penrose as a result of the fire, and that some areas were without electricity at the time of the report.
Health New Zealand issued a public health alert warning that smoke in the area could affect people with heart or lung conditions, pregnant women, young children and older adults, the agency said. The alert emphasized the need for residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary exposure.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of infrastructure near urban power sites and the importance of rapid emergency responses. Although power disruptions were reported, no damage to the substation itself was mentioned in the available reports. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire.