Fire that destroyed Waihi Beach house being treated as suspicious

A fire that razed a Waihi Beach home to the ground is being treated as suspicious.

Emergency services were called to 560 Seaforth Rd in Bowentown, near Otawhiwhi Marae, about 8.30pm on Thursday.

Officer in charge, Gary Alway of the Mayor View Volunteer Fire Brigade, said the two-bedroom home was "fully involved" with fire when they arrived.

Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames but could not save the house.

"It was burned to the ground."

Alway said the home was occupied but the residents were away when the fire started.

Volunteer fire crews from Mayor View were at the scene until 11pm. Crews from Katikati and Waihi also attended.

Fire safety investigator Jon Rewi, who examined the scene, said the fire was being treated as suspicious and police were investigating.

A police spokesman said inquiries into the fire were ongoing and no arrests had been made.