One Dead In South Auckland Explosion

One person has died in an explosion at a fumigation centre in South Auckland.

Emergency services rushed to the industrial site on Bolderwood Place, Wiri about 1.35pm.

St John spokesman said one person died at the scene.

He said another person was being treated for minor injuries.

A third patient not from the site was being treated nearby for asthma-related symptoms nearby, said Mr Walker.

NZTA advised that Roscommon Rd - initially closed after the explosion - has reopened. However, Langley Rd, Mayo Rd and Bolderwood Place remain closed to traffic.

The Fire Service said in a tweet that the explosion was "huge". The incident was caused by welding.

A police spokesman said the explosion happened at a fumigation centre.

The force of the explosion blew photos off walls a block away, shook buildings and was described as sounding "like a bomb".

Transdiesel service advisor Peter Swann says he was on the same road as the accident. He says the road is blocked and police, firefighters and ambulances are everywhere.

"Our building shook like crazy, we thought it was a plane gone down."

A man who works just around the corner from the explosion site said: "The explosion shock our office, and massive pieces of debris were visible in the air immediately afterwards. There was a strong smell of gas in the area as well," he said.

Another worker at a nearby business told the Herald a loud noise "like a bomb" was heard.

"'It was a large bang nose and then the cops and ambulance and fire all came.

"It sounded like a bomb - it was a big noise."

People have also taken to social media to report on the explosion. Kate Dillon says her house went crazy.

"I thought my roof was caving in...I went outside and everybody was looking for the cause of it...Craaazy!"

The site where the accident took place: