Crews battle fire at historic Invercargill church

The Fire Service was first alerted to the incident at 5.30am. Photo / Otago Daily Times

Firefighters have called for a longer ladder truck from Dunedin to ensure a major fire in Invercargill's historic First Presbyterian Church is completely extinguished.

Fire broke out early this morning in the void between the ceiling and the roof.

Acting Southland assistant area commander Neil Ladbrook said when five appliances and more than 30 firefighters arrived about 5.40am, smoke could be seen billowing from the brick building, although there were no flames.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered through doors on the east and north, climbing more than 20m into the ceiling area - a task made difficult because the church was being renovated, he said, with some staircases missing and scaffolding in place.

Mr Ladbrook said the main fire appeared to be under control, but it was difficult to tell whether others were still burning because of the size and shape of the void, which was criss-crossed with wooden rafters.

"It's like a big hollow cone up there under the dome," Mr Ladbrook said. "Invercargill's ladder truck was used to gain access from the outside, but it was not long enough to reach to the top of the roof."

Attempts were made to reach a manhole on a lower roof while the ladder truck made its way from Dunedin.

Church elder and First Church Heritage Buildings Charitable Trust chairman William Watt arrived at the scene about 8am with building plans to assist firefighters.

A $300,000 renovation project at the century-old building was nearing completion and repainting of the interior had just been finished, he said.

During the renovations asbestos had been found, which had led to delays in removing scaffolding. Mr Watt said the building was insured, but it was too early to say what would happen next.

"It will be one day at a time for a while. We don't know yet how much damage has been done or what will be required to fix it."