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Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews rushed to Countdown Mt Wellington yesterday at 6.11pm after the building’s fire alarm alerted nearby brigades.

The fire was in the shopping area and was doused with a firehose when the firefighters arrived minutes later, a Fenz spokesperson told the Herald.

Six fire trucks and support vehicles responded to the blaze, they said.

A video taken from inside the store captures the moment the fire rages through the toilet paper aisle with flames ferociously licking the roof.

A security guard can be seen rushing to the area armed with an extinguisher attempting to tackle it.

A police spokesperson said they were treating the fire as arson and officers had been reviewing CCTV footage as part of their investigation.

“We will release an update proactively.”

A Countdown spokesperson said the Mt Wellington store was closed today after last night’s incident.

“We are continuing to assess the damage and will reopen as soon as we can.

“All of our team are safe and we’re continuing to provide them with support as needed.”

Akula Sharma is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2022. She has previously worked at the Gisborne Herald.