An electrical fault is being ruled out as a cause of a fire which destroyed a block of garages in Papamoa overnight.

Police and Bay of Plenty fire risk manager officer Jon Rewi are investigating the fire and are treating it as suspicious.

Flames seen leaping from the garages. Photos: Kylie Griffin.

Papamoa resident Luke Griffin, in the high visibility vest, running over to warn the people of the fire.

The burnt out remains of the garages on Kirkpatrick Place. Photo: Letitia Atkinson.

Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Tauranga Fire Brigades were called to the fire about 6.55pm when a neighbour noticed smoke coming from the property.

Northern Fire Communications shift manager Jaron Phillips says they were originally called to one garage fire and it ended up being the whole block of garages.

There were no reports of injuries as a result of the fire.

A scene guard was placed at the property overnight until Jon and police conducted a scene examination.

Jon told SunLive this morning that the cause of the fire is still undetermined. 'I have not been able to pinpoint a heat source. It wasn't electrical. It was a lit fire.” Jon says the fire gutted the internal structure of three garages out of six which were located at the property.

People with information about the fire are asked to contact Tauranga Police Station on 07 577 4300.

Alternatively, information can be left anonymously via the Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 line.