Fire at Otago hotel

Fire has damaged the Bannockburn Hotel near Cromwell in Central Otago today.

Four fire appliances brought the fire under control after it started in the kitchen shortly before 1pm and spread to the roof, southern fire communications shift manager Riwai Grace said.

Firefighters were removing roof irons and doing salvage work, he said.

He did not know how badly damaged the building was. There were no reports of injuries, Mr Grace said.

Fire safety officers would be heading to the scene to investigate.

A mini tornado ripped the roof of the pub in January.

- NZPA