A rescue operation is underway in Auckland's Point Chevalier after a house collapsed onto a neighbouring property, leaving a wheelchair-bound woman trapped inside.
Fire and Emergency spokesman Paul Radden said the house, on Moa Rd, was being demolished when it fell onto the house next door about 7.45pm.
Two crews were at the scene, working to help anyone trapped inside.
He said the collapse had blocked access to the neighbouring house and ruptured its gas main.
Neighbours told the they had growing concerns throughout the day as the demolition proceeded.
The neighbours said they repeatedly called the property owner to tell him the demolition was unsafe and needed to stop. Worksafe was also contacted, they said.
A woman who is in a wheelchair was in the neighbouring house when a wall collapsed across her driveway and a chimney crashed through her bedroom wall.
The collapse cut a gas line and she could hear gas "hissing" into her property. The woman told her children to leave, contacted the fire service and waited to be rescued.
She now has a big hole in the side of her house and no where to go.
Fire service workers were working tonight confirm whether anyone else was trapped in the neighbouring house.
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