Building fire in Tauranga

Photo/Ruth Keber

UPDATE 11:55AM: Tauranga police have advised caution for motorists travelling along Takitimu Dr due to smoke drifts.

Police has advised that due to a major building fire on Glasgow St, there are road restriction in place for the following areas:

Elizabeth Street: Closed between Takitimu Drive (State Highway 2) and Cameron Road.

Glasgow Street: Closed between Elizabeth Street and Third Avenue.

Motorists using State Highway 2 (Takitimu Drive) are advised to exercise caution in the vicinity due to smoke drifts

Watch a video of the fire here.

Update 11.07: Elizabeth St and Cameron Rd are closed as fire fighters continue to battle the blaze ripping through Action Equipment.

At least five fire trucks are at the scene of the fire on Glasgow St.

A reporter at the scene said the building was gutted and fire fighters had to smash down the door to get in.

Smoke can be seen as far away as Matua.

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UPDATE 10.43AM: Black smoke is billowing across Cameron Rd as a two storey commercial building burns.

Reporters at the scene said the fire was "huge" and multiple fire trucks were working to out the fire out.

Witness have told the Bay of Plenty Times of a strange smell from as far as seven blocks away.

The fire service is putting roadblocks up at the Elizabeth St and Cameron Rd intersection.

EARLIER: Fire fighters are racing to the scene of a major building fire in central Tauranga.

The fire is believed to be at Action Equipment in Glasgow St, between First and Second avenues.

More to come