Second blaze at Akaroa fish and chip shop

Photo / File

A fire has destroyed a fish and chip shop in the scenic Banks Peninsula township of Akaroa for the second time.

The shop on the main coastal strip of Beach Rd was well alight when firefighters were called about 5.30am.

Eleven firefighting units from as far afield as Christchurch, an hour's drive away, battled the blaze at its height.

Firefighters struggled with water supplies and extra tankers had to be called in.

The fire spread to an adjacent building but it was later contained to the fish and chip shop.

The shop had been "extensively damaged'' but the fire was now under control, Fire Service southern communications shift manager Karl Patterson said.

Fire safety officers would investigate the cause of the blaze today.

An Akaroa local said it was the second time in his lifetime the fish and chip shop had burned down.