Fire claims 'total loss' of Bellevue home

A house in Queen St was destroyed by fire last night. Photo/John Borren

Fire has destroyed a Tauranga family's Bellevue home overnight.

Firefighters were called to the blaze on Queen Rd about 11.45pm but the fire had already taken over the house, Tauranga senior station officer Len Sabin said.

Mr Sabin said he understood there was a family inside which discovered smoke and initially attempted to put the fire out with a garden hose.

By the time firefighters arrived the fire was already ''well involved'', Mr Sabin said.

''There was extensive, extensive damage to the house. It's a total loss.''

It is understood the family had lit their fireplace for the first time last night and the fire began around the chimney's flue.

''With the time of year, the Fire Service encourages people to check their chimney's and get their flues cleaned and be observant on the first couple of times using the fire,'' Mr Sabin said.