House severely damaged by fire in Whanganui East

Fire has severely damaged a Whanganui East five days out from Christmas Day.

A home in Whanganui East was ablaze this afternoon.

Two fire appliances were in attendance shortly before 5pm on Wednesday after the alarm was raised that a property on the corner of Nile Street and Sedgebrook Street was on fire.

An ambulance was also at the scene. It is not known at this stage if anybody was injured or if the house was occupied at the time the fire broke out.

The scene shortly before 5pm at a house fire in Nile Street.

A linesman was diconnecting power while police blocked off access to Nile Street from Sedgebrook Street.

Dozens of onlookers watched as firefighters - some with breathing apparatus - took control of the blaze.

From the outside it appeared much of the home was blackened and damaged.

A linesman disconnects the power.

There was no immediate official comment.