An overnight scene guard has been stationed at a vacant house in Napier that went up in flames last night.
Six fire crews battled the flames at the vacant house on Napier Terrace in Hawkes Bay about 8pm.
Most of the vacant house, which was under construction, had burnt down and two neighbouring properties were also affected.
Fire Service spokesperson Jan Wills said the blaze was well involved when the crews arrived.
A scene guard had been stationed overnight and fire safety did attended but it had not been decided whether the fire would be investigated, she said.
Witness Morgan Conneely, 21, said the flames could be seen "across the bay" at Eskdale, which was 15km-20km away.
Mr Conneely said fire crews, assisted by locals, had managed to get the blaze under control "pretty quick", but were still there watering it down about 9pm.