An electrical fault in a hydroponic set up in a cannabis grow room is the likely cause of a blaze in a Te Aroha garage, police say.

A 37-year-old man has been charged following the fire at a residential home on Shakespeare St on Sunday night.

Fire crews were initially called to a rubbish fire only to discover a garage had caught fire.

Occupants at the house were attempting to put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher and garden hose.

Several cannabis plants, along with cultivation equipment were discovered and consequently seized by police, says Eastern Waikato area prevention manager Senior Sergeant Andrea McBeth.

The arrested man was charged with cultivating cannabis and had been released on bail to reappear in Morrinsville District Court at a later date.

Andrea says police were not looking for anyone else in relation to it.

The cause of the fire was electrical and not suspicious.

-Stuff.co.nz/Phillipa Yalden