Police are assisting Fire and Council structural engineers at a Building in Victoria St West Auckland City.

Council engineers have been inspecting the Palace hotel Formally known as Aurora Tavern on the intersection with Federal Street. Large fresh cracks in the building have been identified necessitating further examination by strutural engineers.

As a precaution Police have cordoned off Victoria Street West between Hobson street and Albert Streets. Federal street between Victoria st and Kingston is also closed. Nearby shops have been evacuated.

Auckland Council is the lead agency and will provide comments later when structural engineers have finished their examination.

The roads could be closed for sometime. Police advise Motorists to avoid the area or face long delays.

I am speaking to Council to provide more information on relocation of bus services from Victoria Street. I will advise further when known

ENDS

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