Large fire in Tauranga palm kernel building

Photo / John Borren/Bay of Plenty Times

Firefighters are battling a major blaze in Tauranga.

The fire is in a building on the corner of Hull Road and Totara Street.

Totara Street is closed.

Firefighters are waiting to gain access to the building before they can put it out.

It is in a machinery and palm kernel building and started around 12.45am, but crews have not got inside yet.

Systems operations commander Jeff Purcell said until they can get access and fully extinguish the fire, there will be smoke across the area for most of the day.

He said the building has been totally destroyed and the cause is yet to be determined.

Eight fire engines are on the scene, plus some support vehicles.

- Newstalk