Firefighters race to Pukekohe as blaze erupts from two-storey building

Firefighters have rushed to the scene of a fire at a two-storey heritage building in Pukekohe, south of Auckland.

Eleven fire trucks are on site to try and put out the blaze on the second floor.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand north shift manager Daniel Nicholson said the fire was yet to be contained.

He said it was contained to one building and not spreading to others, and there were no people inside.

It's been a sense of shock for the local community, as the building has heritage status.

One local who spoke to 1News called the blaze a "really sad moment" for locals.

She knows the owners, and they have "worked really hard on the business".

"Going through all the Covid rubbish, I mean, this is just devastating."

While the cleanup begins, a number of busses have been cancelled with Auckland Transport telling people to expect delays.