An investigation is underway after a fire extensively damaged a two‑storey home in Mount Maunganui this morning.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand was called to the blaze at a property on Golf Rd shortly after 7am.

Tauranga Fire Station Officer Karne Gough said the first crews arrived within three minutes of the initial 111 call, but the house was already “well involved” by the time they got there — a sign, he said, of how rapidly fires can spread.

Two crews from the Mount Maunganui station and another two each from Tauranga Central and Greerton stations responded, along with two support vehicles.

Northern fire communications shift manager Lauran Sika said the fire was “well involved”.

She said everyone in the home was out and accounted for.

“It was a structure fire on the second level in Mount Maunganui.

“A fire investigator is at the scene, along with police.”

Sika said the property was described as a 20m by 20m dwelling.

House fire on Golf Rd  near intersection of Fairway Ave. Photo / Sandra Conchie

A reader, who emailed in, said “a number of fire appliances were seen on Golf Rd around 7.30am, midway down Golf Rd. Road is closed.”

A witness, who did not want to be named, said she saw the fire at 7am.

“The roof was on fire. You could see flames coming from it, its a two storey.”

The witness said the fire was closer to the Maunganui Rd side of Golf Rd.

A police spokesperson confirmed police had been called to assist with cordons “after a house fire”.

Gough said the house, believed to have four bedrooms, suffered extensive damage. All the occupants managed to evacuate safely and no injuries were reported.

He said a Fire and Emergency investigator was on site and the cause of the blaze had yet to be determined.

“This is a timely reminder that having working smoke alarms and an evacuation safety plan is crucial,” Gough said.

Once firefighters were satisfied the flames were fully extinguished, the investigator planned to enter the property to begin assessing what sparked the fire.

A friend of the occupants said the family was doing okay but declined to comment further.

Cordons in place on Golf Rd, Mount Maunganui. Photo / Sandra Conchie