Blaze at old cinema

About 40 firefighters from Rotorua, Ngongotaha, Mamaku, Tokoroa and Tirau battled flames for more than two hours at an old movie theatre in Rotorua early this morning.

Rotorua Fire Service station officer Peter Clark said firefighters were called to the theatre about midnight.

By the time they arrived the fire, which is being treated as suspicious, had been burning for some time and the building was filled with smoke.

Initially there was a major concern there were people inside as firefighters knew the building was used by homeless people.

"We went through it pretty well and we are pretty happy that there was nobody inside."

Mr Clark said firefighters had a lot of trouble getting access inside the building and eventually the roof had to be ripped off.

The fire swept through all three floors, destroying the projector room and one of the auditoriums.

Rotorua chief fire officer Wayne Bedford said emergency services were called by someone working in the nearby Telecom building, who told firefighters he believed the fire started inside.

So many firefighters were called because they needed to search for people and because of the problems gaining access.

Firefighters spent most of the night at the scene and there was still a crew there this morning dampening down hot spots. Police and fire safety officers were also at the scene.

It was not known exactly where or how the fire started but it was being treated as suspicious, Mr Bedford said.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)