Fire crews battle blaze in Matata

FILE

Firefighters are battling a blaze in a two-storey house in Matata, near Whakatane.

The fire broke out about 12.53pm today at a house on State Highway 2 located between the Arawa St intersection and the railway over bridge.

Fire crews arrived at the scene shortly afterwards.

Northern Fire Communications senior communicator Michael Upton said four fire crews, from the Matata and Edgecumbe brigade, had been working to extinguish the fire which appeared to have begun on the top floor of the house.

Mr Upton said there were no occupants of the house at the time of the fire and no one had been injured.

A fire investigator was on his way to the scene to determine what caused the fire, Mr Upton said.

One lane of traffic on State Highway 2 was closed for a short time as a result of the fire.

More details to come.