UPDATED 7.43OPM: St John's Church in Rotorua has burnt to the ground after being engulfed in flames earlier this evening.

Flames and black smoke could be seen billlowing from the church on the corner of Victoria and Ranolf Streets.

A Northern Fire Communications spokesperson says they received calls about the fire at 5.48pm.

It took 12 fire appliances to battle the blaze. No one was inside when the church caught fire.

One of the property managers of the church says everything was fine when the minister locked up at 5pm.

They later received a call from the security company advising them of the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

EARLIER:

Reports are coming in of a massive fire engulfing St. John's Church in Rotorua, on the corner of Victoria and Ranolf Streets.

A fire service spokesperson says they are in attendance, and the fire is "well-involved".

They were unable to provide any further information at this time, as the event is still unfolding.

At the scene?

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