Fire crews are battling flames at a vacant house in Napier tonight.
The fire service were called to the blaze on Napier Terrace in Hawkes Bay around 7.45pm this evening.
Fire service spokesman David Meikle said six fire trucks attended and were still at the scene.
Two neighbouring properties were also affected by the fire, but had been saved, Mr Meikle said.
He said it was too early to know what had caused the fire.
Witness Morgan Conneely said most of the vacant house, which was still under construction, had burnt down.
The 21-year-old said the flames could be seen "across the bay" at Eskdale, which was 15km-20km away.
Mr Conneely said fire crews, assisted by locals, had managed to get the blaze under control "pretty quick", but were still there watering it down.