Firefighters are battling a blaze at a Motueka building, with reports of people trapped on a balcony.
One person has been injured in a fire at a Motueka building, with occupants having to be rescued from a balcony.
Firefighters arrived at the scene in Greenwood St at 8.25am, with reports people had been trapped on a balcony.
One person had suffered moderate injuries and were taken to Nelson Hospital, a St John ambulance spokesperson said.
Tasman District councillor David Ogilvie told the Herald from the scene that the blaze was "well advanced".
"It is a commercial building with a shop downstairs and flats upstairs," he said.
"The building has suffered a fair bit of damage. The police and fire service are both here ... there are two fire trucks.
"Police and fire are keeping us back [from the scene].
"But the fire looks reasonable well advanced . . . the damage goes through to the outside walls. But it is under control. There are ladders [from the fire crews] up to the second floor."
"The fire was reported about 8:25am. It is reported there are people currently trapped on a balcony," police said.
A later update said everyone inside the building had successfully escaped.
The fire was not thought to be suspicious and a Fire and Emergency investigator was heading the scene.
A witness said the fire was closing in around some flats and a Salvation Army store.
State Highway 60 is now closed at the intersection with Greenwood St.
Motorists are warned to expect delays and to use an alternative route.
Police could be seen cordoning off a street in the area.