Firefighters extinguish university blaze

A kitchen fire that caused the evacuation of students and staff from parts of Wellington's Victoria University this morning has been extinguished.

Fire services were called to the university about 6.20am and the blaze was brought under control within an hour, a central fire communications spokesman said.

Twelve appliances attended the fire which resulted in the main road outside the university, Kelburn Parade, being closed and diversions put in place.

The busy thoroughfare for commuters has since been reopened.

- NZPA