Fire destroys motel

An overnight fire at an eastern Bay of Plenty motel has been contained with no reports of injuries.

Firefighters were called to The Pinelands Motor Hotel in Kawerau at 3am and were still battling the blaze two hours later.

By the time the first fire trucks arrived the flames had a good hold on the 70 metre-long building.

It's not known how many of the hotel's 15 units were occupied at the time but Auckland fire communications centre shift manager Belinda Leary said no one had been hurt.

St John Ambulance team manager Brett Tobeck confirmed that it had been present at the scene but did not transport anyone and there were no injuries.

Fire trucks are now beginning to dampen down hotspots and leave the scene.

The motel, on Parimahana Drive, is a one-level structure but has a part-mezzanine level.

It has a sports bar, gaming machines and a wholesale liquor outlet.

The business is currently advertised for sale.

- NZPA