A fire which destroyed a community hall near Tauranga last night has been labelled suspicious by authorities.
Fire Service spokeswoman Megan Ruru said six trucks were called to battle the blaze at the Papamoa Hall about 6pm.
The first firefighters arrived to find the 10m by 20m building on State Highway 2 well involved in fire. "It is suspicious and a fire investigator was requested," she said.
Tauranga City Councillor Steve Morris saw the blaze as he was driving home from Rotorua, about 6.30pm.
"It's just so sad, it's been such an icon for the old Papamoa community," he said. "It's all gone, it's terrible."
