“Much-loved” Tauranga Indian restaurant Castle 91 caught fire this afternoon.

Firefighters were called to the Greerton Village restaurant today at 3.09pm, Fire and Emergency NZ Northern shift manager Michael Anderson said.

He said the Fire and Emergency received multiple calls about the building fire.

“The fire measures approximately 20 by 10 metres, with three fire trucks in attendance.

“We are working to extinguish the fire.”

Castle 91 Restaurant & Takeaways. Photo/Supplied.

The fire trucks were from both the Greerton and Tauranga stations.

A SunLive reader at the scene said there were three fire trucks “but now just two from Greerton station”.

“They have it under control now. No one has been injured, and everyone is out of the building,” they said.

“And the road is open.”

Fire fighters attending the scene of a fire at Castle 91 Restaurant & Takeaways. Photo/Supplied.

Castle 91 is known for its annual free community lunches, which it has put on around Christmas or New Year since the pandemic, for people who cannot afford to pay.

“We’re deeply saddened by the fire at Castle 91, a much-loved part of the Greerton community,” said Greerton Business Association chair Cameron Templer.

“Our thoughts are with the owners and staff during this difficult time. We’re thankful for the swift response from emergency services and will do everything we can to support Castle 91 as they begin to recover.”

At the scene?

Phone 0800SUNLIVE or email [email protected]