A witness to a fire in Greerton describes hearing popping noises as flames and smoke billowed into the air.<\/p>\n
Trish Clouston was leaving the gym when she saw \u201cthick, black smoke billowing\u201d out of nearby trees.<\/p>\n
She drove past the fire on Kiteroa St around 7.30am and saw a van \u201ctotally engulfed in flames\u201d and rang Fire and Emergency New Zealand.<\/p>\n
She heard popping noises, which she thought were the windows shattering.<\/p>\n
\u201cFlames were coming out of the left side, the right side, the top, the back – the whole lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the roof was melting and there were no windows.<\/p>\n
Clouston said flames reached the boat near the van.<\/p>\n
Greerton Fire Brigade arrived at the blaze at 7.43am.<\/p>\n
Northern fire communications shift manager Lauren Sika said a van and a boat were well alight but no people were involved.<\/p>\n
The blaze has been referred to the police and a fire investigator.<\/p>\n