'Aggressive' fire in Northcote College heritage building during strike

A fire broke out at Northcote College in Auckland this afternoon, impacting a heritage building during a period of planned strike action by career firefighters. The fire, first reported via a fire alarm at 12:17 PM, is now under control.

Delayed Response Due to Strike Action

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) Assistant National Commander Ron Devlin explained that, as part of contingency planning for the strike, crews are not automatically dispatched to fire alarm activations unless there are multiple alarms or a confirming call to 111. A second alarm and a subsequent 111 call from a member of the public prompted a dispatch at 12:19 PM. A commander arrived on scene at 12:29 PM, followed by a volunteer brigade from Silverdale at 12:34 PM.

Impact on Northcote College

The fire affected the school’s sports pavilion, identified as a heritage building and the original teaching space. The pavilion is located next to a recently opened classroom block, part of a $48.5 million redevelopment project announced in 2020. All students were safely evacuated and the school will close for the day at 2:00 PM. Students were advised to leave without their bags if possible, with staff providing support to those needing assistance.

Did You Know? Northcote College previously experienced a devastating fire in September 2014, which destroyed the school’s technology block (E block).

Broader Context and Ongoing Labor Dispute

The incident occurred during a one-hour strike by career firefighters, scheduled from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) stated that FENZ management is “gambling with your safety every day,” and has planned another one-hour strike for next Monday. FENZ continues to urge the union to call off the strikes while facilitation is underway.

Expert Insight: The delayed dispatch of crews due to planned strike action highlights the complex challenges faced by emergency services during labor disputes. Balancing the right to strike with public safety is a critical consideration, and this incident is likely to intensify the debate surrounding these issues.

Emergency Response and Traffic Disruption

Police assisted Fire and Emergency at the scene, confirming no one was outstanding. St John Ambulance personnel were also present, deploying an ambulance, two managers, a command unit, and a major incident support unit. An emergency services incident on Onewa Road between Lake Road and Birkenhead Avenue caused traffic delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time did the fire start?

The fire was first reported via a fire alarm at 12:17 PM.

Was anyone injured in the fire?

Police confirmed that no one was outstanding at the scene, indicating no reported injuries.

What is the status of Northcote College following the fire?

All students were evacuated safely, and the school will be closing for the day at 2:00 PM.

How might ongoing labor disputes impact emergency response times in the future?

‘Aggressive’ fire in Northcote College heritage building during strike