New Plymouth district councillor and journalist Gordon Brown was conducting an interview at a business on Connett Rd, Bell Block, about 10.20am when the gale force winds tore the roof off a nearby building.
“There was this almighty noise, so I just turned around and the roof was being peeled back like a can of sardines,” Brown said.
SIMON O'CONNOR/STUFF
“It was pretty spectacular. I have never seen anything like it.”
Senior station officer Jason Crowe, of New Plymouth fire brigade, said the first calls came in about 9am and continued through the day.
“It has been a busy day,” Crowe said.