Fire fighters were called to a garage on fire in Papamoa about 9.40pm last night.
Mount Maunganui station officer Roger Pickett understood the fire was sparked by a cigarette butt that was left against the timber framing.
"It must've been reasonably damaged as it started at ground level and spread up the walls and through the roof area."
It took fire fighters more than an hour to control the blaze and secure the garage, he said.