Mount Maunganui house fire: Neighbours describe blaze as 'an explosion'

Mount Maunganui residents were jolted awake by the sound of "an explosion" as fire ripped through a house this morning.

Emergency services were called to Maranui St just after 2am.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said there were no reports of injuries.

The spokesman said gas cylinders were "involved" in the fire.

The owner of the house, who did not want to be named, said fire crews did an "amazing job" and the neighbours also helped.

Scene of the house fire on Maranui St this morning. Photo / Megan Wilson

The owner said everyone got out of the house safely.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said "it wasn't just a fire, it was an explosion".

"Everybody's safe, that's the main thing."

A local who also did not want to be named, said she woke up with "a sudden jolt".

"We thought it was an earthquake."

Six appliances and a command unit went to the scene from the Mount Maunganui, Tauranga and Greerton fire stations.

A fire investigator this morning said smoke alarms alerted the occupants that the house was on fire.

Smoke alarms alerted residents to the fire. Photo / Megan Wilson

"Thankfully they had them installed and working.

"They were able to evacuate and alert the neighbours."

Police were also called.
It's the second house fire in less than a week in Mount Maunganui after an Orkney Rd home was gutted on Friday.

Inquiries into the fire are ongoing.