The cause of the fire at Island Thyme restaurant on Waiheke Island is yet to be established.
Fire broke out at a Waiheke Island restaurant this morning and crews are still at the scene.
The Fire Service received multiple calls about a fire at Island Thyme restaurant on the main road in Surfdale, Waiheke, just after 10:30 am.
An eyewitness said dozens of locals gathered to watch
local volunteers firefighters battle the blaze.
"There was a very strong smell, kind of a rubbery smell," he said. "But the kitchen hasn't been in operation for a while, for two or three weeks as far as I know. [The fire] started breaking through the peak of the roof and then there was a lot more smoke afterwards. I left. There were too many people there."
Police assisted with traffic and crowd control. The Fire Service said three pumps and a tanker were dispatched.
