Loud blasts heard at tavern fire

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Loud explosions were heard as firefighters tackled a serious blaze about 40km south of Dunedin this morning.

Emergency services were alerted to the fire at the Waihola Tavern, in Lake Waihola township, at 8.29am today.

A large crowd gathered to watch as firefighters from Milton, Waihola and Mosgiel battled the blaze. Eyewitnesses told One News they heard several large explosions.

Nobody was in the tavern at the time and the cause of the fire was not yet known. The fire caused extensive damage to the tavern's kitchen before it was extinguished at about 9.45am.

Traffic was diverted from State Highway 1 while firefighters fought the flames. The road would re-open later this morning.

A fire crew with specialist cutting gear has been sent from Dunedin to investigate damage to the tavern's roof.

- NZPA