Blaze Engulfs Dozens of Vehicles at Whangārei Hospital Carpark

Multiple explosions that witnesses described as sounding like “cannon fire” echoed through Whangārei Hospital this afternoon as a massive fire tore through its staff carpark, destroying and damaging dozens of vehicles.

Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after 2pm, where a towering column of thick black smoke could be seen rising across Whangārei. Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) confirmed that more than two dozen cars were affected in the blaze, which has since been brought under control, 1New reported.

Five fire trucks and around 20 firefighters from Onetangi, Portland, Kamo, and Whangārei stations battled the inferno. Crews remained at the scene into the evening, working to dampen lingering hotspots.

A nearby resident, Rick, told 1News that the fire “began small” before quickly escalating. “Then it gradually just got massive, and then just explosions everywhere. It was nuts,” he said. “It was almost just like cannon fire in a sense. Just one after another,” reported 1News.

Onerahi Volunteer Fire Brigade senior firefighter Michael Chubb described the scene as intense, with a “very pungent” and “quite toxic” smell of burning rubber filling the air.

Fire investigators are yet to determine the cause of the blaze. Police have urged the public to avoid the area while emergency services remain on site and advised nearby residents to keep their windows closed due to the smoke.

Janine Cubitt, who was visiting her mother at the hospital, said she saw cars “blowing up” as the fire spread rapidly. “I didn’t see it start, but it very quickly engulfed lots of cars,” she said, as quoted by 1News.

Health NZ Te Tai Tokerau group director of operations, Alex Pimm, confirmed that no injuries had been reported and that hospital operations continued uninterrupted. “We are working with Fire and Emergency and NZ Police to ensure staff and patient safety,” he said, 1News, quoted.

A hospital staff member told 1News the smoke smelled extremely strong and that she preferred to remain indoors for safety.

Authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of vehicles destroyed. However, initial reports suggest around 28 were affected in what witnesses are calling one of the most dramatic incidents in recent memory at Whangārei Hospital, reported 1News.