Fire at Wellington apartment bulding

Windows have been blown out of a Wellington apartment block as seven appliances battle a fire at the complex.

The fire was believed to have started in a second floor apartment at the Gateway complex on Maida Vale Road in Roseneath.

Resident Ross Setford, who lives next door to the apartment where the fire began, said there has been damage to surrounding apartments, including his.

He arrived home and heard the fire alarm from his neighbour's apartment.

The neighbours were not believed to be at home.

The fire had blown windows out of the complex and was "roaring" by the time fire crews arrived.

He said the fire brigade "took ages" to arrive and start putting water on the fire.

The cause of the fire was not yet known.

Central Fire Communications staff were unavailable to comment.

- NZPA