Firefighters were called to a house fire in Ngongotahā this morning.
Multiple fire appliances were on Ranginui St in the Rotorua suburb.
Smoke was billowing from a rear property, a photographer on the scene said.
The smoke was thick and quite suffocating on street level at times, he said.
The road was cordoned off at the Ranginui St and Waiteti Rd intersection.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said fire crews were in attendance at a “well-involved” house fire in Ngongotahā.
The first call received about the incident was at 9.30am, she said.
No people had been reported at the house, she said.
The spokeswoman said further resources were needed to respond to the scene.
Five appliances and a few support vehicles were at the scene.
During the fire, black smoke was pouring from the building and neighbours were watching from the roadside.
Rotorua Airport and Air NZ say they are working to address challenges.