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The owner of Katikati Caltex is today thankful no one was injured when a major fire broke out destroying the service station overnight.

Lester Gray says regular fire drills he believes helped save the service station's pumps, which he hopes will be back in action before the weekend.

The inside of the Katikati Caltex service station today.

'Staff followed correct procedures, which probably saved a whole heap of things. The pumps and tanks are intact and we are aiming to have fuel pumping within 48 hours.”

The sole staffer on duty at the petrol station on State Highway 2 in Katikati township raised the alarm at 1.51am today. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated.

Fire service northern communications shift manager Jarron Phillips says firefighters from Waihi Beach, Athenree, Katikati and Omokoroa fought the blaze, still smouldering at first light.

'They had difficulty isolating the fuel because of the extreme heat from the fire'” says Jarron.

Katikati fire chief officer Joe Manukau says firefighters' main concerns were preventing the fire reaching the LPG tank and the fuel.

While the building and shop was gutted and it needs a new roof, it is a good save, says Joe. The fuel bowsers are intact and the business will be able to continue.

Once the fire safety investigation is completed, Lester and his staff have a major clean up.

Almost all of the interior structure in the service station is gutted and smoke damaged.

He thinks the 24 hour service station will be able to operate out of a container.