One person had to be freed from debris after a “tornado” ripped the roof off a south Auckland storage facility this afternoon.

A Northern Fire Communications spokesman said the high winds – which he described as a tornado – hit the Safe Store storage facility at 2.40pm, ripping the 40 metre by 20 metre roof off, in the suburb of Papatoetoe.

The spokesperson said one person was trapped but has just been released.
It is not known what condition the person is in.
“It must have been very isolated because we have had no other calls about damage from a tornado.”

A Safe Store staff member said they were very busy and could not comment when contacted.

NZHerald