A large fire has broken out at a townhouse complex in Māngere that was still under construction, with multiple dwellings engulfed in flames.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand was called to Hain Ave around 12.30pm with reports that some of the building’s units were on fire.

Three two-storey units in the complex were found to be well alight when brigades arrived.

A video shared on Facebook to the Manukau Grapevine page shows large plumes of black smoke towering into the sky.

Houses on both sides of the blaze site were immediately evacuated, and emergency crews brought fire hoses through the neighbouring properties in order to reach the flames.

One man living at a property next door told the Herald he had been out shopping “for just ten minutes” when his son called him and said the complex next door was on fire.

A large fire has broken out at an apartment building on Hain Ave in Mangere, Auckland that was still under construction on 6 July 2025. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

Another man said he’d seen smoke rising into the sky from the under-construction complex at around 12:30pm and dashed out of his house onto the road, where other neighbours had begun gathering.

He wasn’t sure when residents would be allowed to re-enter their homes.

One woman had taken her dog for a walk in her pyjamas, only to return at lunchtime and be told that she couldn’t re-enter her home.

A large fire has broken out at an apartment building on Hain Ave in Mangere, Auckland that was still under construction on 6 July 2025. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

Fire crews had the blaze contained by 2pm.

A spokesman said 11 fire appliances were scrambled to the scene. No injuries were reported, he said.

Fire investigators were on site just before 2pm, he said.

Around 3pm, people residing in homes to the left of the blaze were allowed to re-enter.

By3:30pm, four fire trucks remained at the scene while police were making inquiries.

A fire investigator at the scene said they wouldn’t be able to conclude what had happened until all hot spots were put out and a fire investigation could be completed.