Chemical spill from North Shore recycling plant fire closes some beaches

Some beaches on Auckland's North Shore are closed today due to a chemical spill in the water from the recycling plant fire in Wairau Valley overnight.

On its website, SafeSwim has warned people to "avoid contact with water" due to "hazardous substances" from yesterday's recycling plant fire on Hillside Rd.

Fire crews returned to the recycling plant this morning with three fire trucks, two ladder trucks and two diggers to open the structure and fully extinguish the fire, Assistant Commander James Hall said.

"While there are small flare ups, there is no significant smoke and the lithium-ion batteries involved in the fire are no longer a hazard," he said.

Large dark plumes of smoke could be seen stretching across multiple suburbs yesterday, and many shared images and videos on social media of the blaze. In an update late last night, Assistant Commander Barry Thomas said the fire had been brought under control, and the incident was scaled down to a second alarm level.

"There is significantly less smoke, but it continues to affect communities in Glenfield and Witheford Heights," he said.

"Crews are expected to remain at the scene until later this afternoon," said Hall.

The cause of the fire is not known, and a fire investigation would begin at first light.