Electrical fault may have caused Rotorua blaze

An electrical fault is believed to have been the cause of a fire which engulfed the Warehouse Stationery store in central Rotorua this morning.

At least 12 fire appliances were in attendance at the height of the blaze, coming from across the Bay of Plenty and Waikato, as the fire threatened to spread to neighbouring buildings.

Crews have since brought the fire, which started just after 6am, under control and have spent the morning attacking flames from inside the building.

Nearby streets were cordoned off and people in the area have been evacuated. Motorists and pedestrians are asked to avoid the area surrounding Amohau St, Fenton St, Victoria St and Ranold St.

Fire Service shift manager Scott Osmond said the whole building was ablaze when crews arrived at the scene.

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