Motorists are advised to avoid lower Hobson St and its environs due to an incident at the Grand Chancellor Hotel that has necessitated the closure of two of the street's four lanes.
NZ Fire Service is in the process of accessing the building and several people have been evacuated from it.
Police are assisting at the scene, as is St John Ambulance Service.
Media are advised to contact NZ Fire Service for more information at this stage as that is the lead agency for this incident.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty/Auckland City District communications manager