Fire at Mount Maunganui house in Carysfort St

A fire investigator and police are working to determine the cause of a suspicious fire in Mount Maunganui this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to a fire in a garage of a Carysfort St property about 3pm.

A fire communications spokesman said a fire investigator and police were investigating the blaze. "They are treating it as suspicious," he said.

A reporter at the scene said firefighters could also be seen speaking to a group of people.

A nearby resident, who would not be named, said she did not hear any sirens and did not see any smoke.

She said it was unusual there were three fire trucks and police down her quiet street.

A police media communications spokeswoman said police were called to the scene by the fire brigade at 3.14pm after being advised of the incident.

One fire truck from Tauranga and two from Mount Maunganui attended.