A school has closed as a large fire burns in Christchurch and smoke continues to trigger warnings for residents.

Christchurch’s Hagley College said it made the decision to close as firefighters battle a large blaze on Colombo St.

The school says Year 9 and 10 students will be released after parents and caregivers receive the message.

It says a decision about tomorrow will be made after 3pm.

Nearby residents have been advised to close windows and doors as smoke from the fire fills the air.

A Fire and Emergency (Fenz) spokesperson said more than 50 firefighters are attending a large fire at Auto Inspection Services in Colombo St, near Cass St, and that nearby roads are closed.

Residents have been sent an emergency alert and are advised to stay inside, keep doors and windows closed, and “be mindful” of air conditioning as smoke drifts west.

MetService spokesperson Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says northwesterly winds over Christchurch are expected to pick up “with speed” later this morning into the afternoon before turning southwesterly in the evening.

She said smoke from the fire will drift eastwards towards the sea but some may go towards Banks Peninsula.

Fenz incident controller Dave Key held a press conference just after 8am, saying the fire was contained but still burning.

He described the fire as “deep-seated” in a large pile of rubbish.

“We’ve contained it back to what we believe is where it started, which is in a pile of waste and general rubbish.”

He said it was too early to determine the cause but an investigation into the blaze has started.

”We know roughly where it started, but not how.”

Fire and Emergency crews were called to a large fire at Auto Inspection Services in Christchurch around 4.25am on Thursday. Photo / George Heard

Key said 10 trucks and 50 firefighters were involved at the height of the blaze. Crews are expected to be present for the rest of the day using heavy machinery. Surrounding roads are also expected to be closed for much of the day.

Key said an emergency alert was issued to nearby residents about a smoke hazard linked to the blaze. He said people can expect smoke to dissipate and rise at various times throughout the day.

He said the building owners were devastated by what they had seen. He said fire services had taken them as far as safely possible to see the damage.

Damage to the building was largely structural and not internal.

Key said one of the companies in the building took in and sorted rubbish.

”So one of the companies in the building, that’s what they do. They take rubbish from sites and dump it inside the building and sort it from there, I guess.”

A Fenz spokesperson earlier told residents to contact Healthline or their GP if they have trouble breathing, or 111 in an emergency.

Fire and Emergency NZ Incident Controller Dave Key speaks to media. Photo / George Heard

Residents have been advised to close windows and doors as smoke drfits. Photo / George Heard

The road is closed around the building on Colombo St, Cass St and Durham St. Photo / George Heard

Respiratory health warning for residents

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ advises people near the blaze to close all windows and doors if inside, or wear a high-grade mask outside.

“Inhaling smoke from fires can pose serious risks for respiratory health, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions,” says chief executive Letitia Harding.

“It can severely exacerbate conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and trigger flare-ups, which can be serious and lead to hospitalisation.”

Harding says smoke contains tiny particles that enter the throat and lungs and cause irritation.

“That is why it is important that people with asthma or COPD keep their reliever inhaler on-hand if they start to develop symptoms.”

A cyclist passes the Christchurch fire at Auto Inspection Services on Colombo St. Photo / George Heard

Efforts to control the large fire on Colombo Rd in Christchurch. Photo / George Heard