Fire fighters at the scene of a fire on Werrina Cres, Mangakakahi. Photo/Supplied
Firefighters have battled a shed fire in Mangakakahi, Rotorua this afternoon.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said they were called to the fire, on Werrina Cres, about 4pm.
Senior station officer Gary Balment said the brigade was investigating the cause of the fire.
At this stage it is not being treated as suspicious.
"There is a reasonable amount of damage to the inside of the shed with the loss of some goods and personal items."
The crew were quickly able to put out and contain the blaze, but Balment said it was a timely reminder about the danger of fires during the winter months.
"At this time of the year when people are using heaters or fires, they need a general reminder to also check they've got working smoke alarms.
"Fortunately no one was in the shed at the time of today's fire, but it is an area the family's children like to play in."
A local man, who did not want to be named, said he was cycling home when the fire engines passed him.
"There was a lot of smoke, but no flames.
"The fire crew had it pretty much sorted in five to 10 minutes."
As the crowd chanted, Seymour walked back into the Beehive with his MPs.