Police and fire investigator yet to determine cause of suspicious Brookland Rd fire in Rotorua

The cause of a weekend house fire in Brookland Rd is still unknown.

Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand are investigating the suspicious blaze that started around 2.30pm on Sunday in Western Heights, Rotorua.

No one had been living at the house and no one was hurt in the fire.

A fire investigator said on Monday he was continuing to work with police to determine the cause.

Rotorua Fire Brigade senior station officer Jim Prescott said crews were called to the fire by members of the public.

Two Rotorua crews and one from Ngongotaha attended, as there were initial fears someone was inside the house.

He said the fire ripped through about 70 per cent of the house.

"The electricity was on but there were no appliances inside so it is not going to start by itself."