A man has described running from his Ponsonby home as a fire broke out in the rear of the house, after a spate of fires across Auckland.

Firefighters were called to the serious house fire in Tawariki St just hours after a block of shops caught alight in the central city.

The man told the Herald he ran from his home after the fire broke out at the back of the house.

He stood with his neighbours and their dog outside the burning property as they watched crews battle the blaze.

The Ponsonby blaze comes after three other major fires broke out in Auckland over the past 24 hours, including a fatal sleepout blaze in Ōtāhuhu, a fire at a central city block and a house fire in Panmure.

Crews work to extinguish a house fire in Ponsonby, Auckland. Photo / Jason Dorday

Fire and Emergency said it received multiple reports of a house fire in Ponsonby just after 10am.

Police said they were also at the house fire on Tawariki St, assisting fire crews.

Five fire crews, a specialist truck and support vehicles were at the scene.

A Ponsonby home has been severely damaged in a fire. Photo / Jason Dorday

“On arrival, we found a well-involved house fire,” Fire and Emergency said.

A second alarm was transmitted for the single-storey house blaze.

Video of the fire just after 10am showed a large plume of grey smoke coming from the property.

 
Fire and Emergency received multiple reports of a house fire in Ponsonby just after 10am.

Firefighters at the scene of a house fire in Ponsonby. Photo / Jason Dorday

The home’s roof was caved in on one side and had become completely blackened.

Five fire trucks remained at the scene just before 12pm.

A firefighter at the scene said the fire threatened to impact the neighbouring house.

The road has been cordoned off, with work expected to continue for several hours.

Central city shops go up in smoke

Earlier this morning, Fire and Emergency extinguished another “well-involved” fire in a central city block housing a store and several restaurants, including Denny’s.

A Herald reporter at the scene said several fire engines were called to the building, on the corner of Hobson St and Victoria St West.

Large plumes of black smoke could be seen pouring out of one of the ground-floor premises.

The Denny’s 24-hour restaurant is on the upper level, with Raviz Indian Eatery, Chill and Grill and Daikoku convenience store on the ground floor.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were seen entering the building about 7.45am.

Firefighters secure the perimeter and redirect traffic as they respond to a fire in the central city during Auckland's morning commute. Photo / Anna Heath

Fire and Emergency shift manager Lauren Sika told the Herald that crews from six Auckland stations responded to the fire, including a specialist unit called in from Glen Eden.

The fire escalated to a second alarm at its peak, but had since been extinguished, Sika said.

The "well-involved" fire broke out in a shop on the corner of Hobson St and Victoria St West this morning. Photo / Anna Heath

Crews had since been ensuring the ventilation of the building.

Police said they were on the scene “in a traffic management capacity”, with Fire and Emergency leading the response.

Hato Hone St John said it was also alerted, but was not needed.