A fire has broken out at a South Auckland scrap metal recycling facility this morning, sending plumes of black smoke into the air.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said they “received multiple calls about a fire at a rubbish station” at around 10.26am today.

When firefighters arrived at the scene on Rangi Rd in Takanini they found a scrap metal blaze approximately 5x5m, which they are still working to extinguish.

Three fire engines are at the scene and 12 firefighters are fighting the flames.

Plumes of black smoke billowing into the air from the Phoenix Recycling Group facility can be seen from the Southern Motorway.

The smoke is not posing a hazard to traffic currently.

- NZ Herald