The dramatic scene played out at the outlet on Whangaparāoa Road on the Hibiscus Coast just before midnight on Sunday.
Local resident Anaru Hill captured a photo of the sign fully ablaze and said the heat from the fire was “intense” and it was producing smoke that he described as “toxic”.
Hill told the Herald he first saw the sign flickering as he drove home from a late shift.
He said locals have been concerned about the flickering sign for months but he pulled over on Sunday night because it appeared to be more dramatic than usual.
Moments after he stopped, the sign exploded in a “huge flash” and fire quickly took hold.
He called emergency services and was forced back due to the heat and smoke and said it was the quick actions of firefighters that prevented it spreading further, sharing his concerns that the fire was avoidable.
Hill said he wanted to give a shout-out to local volunteers who he said were quickly on the scene to fight the blaze.
Fire and Emergency NZ confirmed that they attended the scene, with one crew extinguishing a fire on the sign and in the garden below.
Locals who saw photos posted online were quick to see the lighter side of the drama, with many wondering if Maccas was following Burger King in offering a “flame-grilled” option.
Another wit suggested sending the sign to Wānaka, the southern tourism portal that is currently up in arms about the opening of a McDonald’s franchise.
Others shared Hill’s concern that the fire might have been prevented, suggesting that it had been flickering for months before the fire.
“That sign been flickering for months.... and they keep leaving it on after closing,” one concerned local wrote. “Not surprised, but worried.”
The Herald has approached McDonald’s for comment.
By Chris Marriner
