Auckland health officials are urging the public to "take care" near Ponsonby Intermediate, where fire gutted a classroom block earlier this week, due to asbestos risk.
The blaze lit up a building on Tuesday that had asbestos in its roof, and Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) says weather conditions have spread fire debris up to 100m along the neighbouring Sheehan St.
Despite the spread of debris, ARPHS Medical Officer of Health Dr Denise Barnfather is assuring the public any health risk is low and measures have been taken to protect people's health.
"The Ministry of Education has taken steps to ensure the school site is safe, and is arranging for appropriate demolition and removal of the building's remains," she says.
"Contractors have also removed debris from the street and footpaths and the road is being flushed."
Asbestos is known to have damaging health risks when inhaled, such as scarring lung tissue, thickening lung membranes and causing cancer of the lung, larynx, and ovaries.
However Dr Barnfather says these risks only occur after "high-level exposure over long periods of time."
She says as the fire was a one-off incident and the asbestos fibres were contained within the roofing material, there would be minimal to no exposure.
Despite the low health risk, however, Dr Barnfather still encourages vigilance.
"If you pass through that neighbourhood particularly if you are walking with pets or children, it’s important to be vigilant for any debris that may have come from the fire," she said.
"Our advice, if you find any material you think may be asbestos, is to ensure that children and pets don't pick it up and to call council to dispose of it appropriately."
Local residents have been contacted and instructed by ARPHS on appropriate practices to clean away residue from smoke and dust.
On Tuesday, the lead investigator for Fire and Emergency NZ told Newshub it was "too early to speculate" whether the fire that began in a computer classroom was suspicious.
The incident came after another blaze broke out at St Stephen's Church on Saturday, which is located just around the corner from the school.
The council number to call concerning asbestos is 09 301 0101.
