Sanford fishing boat fire now out

Fire fighters were called to the two-storey house on Ohauiti Road early this morning.

The fire on board a Sanford fishing boat at Auckland's waterfront is out.

Around eight fire appliances have turned up to deal with the small fire onboard the ship.

It's believed to have started when welding was being carried out on board, but was put out by the crew with a fire extinguisher.

All 50 staff on board were evacuated but should be back on the boat within the hour.

Meanwhile, five fire crews are battling a "significant" blaze in central Taupo.

Emergency services were called to the fire in a storage container behind a building on Heu Heu St at 11:45am.

Fire Service northern communications shift manager Jarron Philips said five fire crews, including two from Tokoroa and Rotorua, were at the scene.

The blaze was "significant" and had not yet been brought under control, he said.

No injuries had been reported.