One Dead, Four Injured In South Auckland Explosion

One person has died in an explosion at a hazardous materials recycling business in South Auckland.

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

A St John spokesman said one person died at the scene.

Four others received minor injuries and another person was being assessed nearby for asthma-related symptoms.

The Fire Service said in a tweet that the explosion was "huge".

The incident was caused by welding.

The explosion was at Salters Cartage, a spokesman for the business said. Salters Cartage is a hazardous materials recycling business.

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

Specialist fire investigators are at the scene, as well as dozens of emergency crews.

Three fire trucks can be seen and several police cars and officers are manning the road.

Source- NZ Herald