Investigation launched after fire guts school gym

File photo / APN

Police and the Fire Service are investigating a fire which gutted a high school gymnasium in the Wellington suburb of Rongotai early this morning and prompted the evacuation of residents.

About 50 firefighters and 14 appliances were called to the large fire at Rongotai College's gymnasium about 1.10am after calls from members of the public, a Fire Service spokesman said.

The fire took several hours to put out and was so intense that the steel-framed roof collapsed inwards, Detective Senior Sergeant Donna Howard said.

Northerly winds fanned the flames, leading to the temporary evacuation of nearby residents.

Emergency services were still at the college this afternoon to secure the site so it could be safely examined to determine the fire's cause, she said.

- NZPA