A baby has died following a fatal crash which closed a section of State Highway 2 for several hours in Opotiki this morning.

Tauranga Police Senior Sergeant Shannon Clifford says police, including the Serious Crash Unit, were called to the scene at Waiotahi about 6.10am.

Photo: file.

Police say a four-wheel drive left the road and overturned landing upside down in a drain.

"An infant was travelling in the vehicle, and as a result of the crash the infant is now deceased," say police.

There were no injuries to other occupants of the vehicle. It is not known how many people were inside the car.

State Highway 2 between Paerata Ridge Road and Waioeka Bridge is now open after previously closed to one lane due to a crash. The Police Serious Crash Unit is investigating.

Meanwhile, occupants of two cars involved in a crash in Papamoa late Saturday afternoon were taken to hospital overnight.

Senior Sergeant Clifford says police and St John ambulance were called to the scene on Doncaster Road about 4.30pm.

He is unsure how many people were taken to Tauranga Hospital, but knows they have since been discharged.

The two vehicles involved have since been towed from the scene.

Firefighters attended a rubbish fire behind Burger King in Mount Maunganui early this morning.

Northern Fire Communications shift manager Jarron Phillips says firefighters were called to the scene after a bag of leaves was found on fire behind the fast-food restaurant about 1.30am.

Tauranga Police have been advised.

Police are also investigating a suspicious fire in Rotorua overnight.

Jarron says a ute was found on fire at Hamiora Place, Ngapuna, just before 5.30pm on Saturday.

He says police are treating the fire as suspicious and are investigating.

Fire investigators are expected to spend this morning searching for clues as to what started a reported fire at Opotiki College overnight.

Firefighters were called to the college's wharenui just after 8pm on Saturday to find the room "well alight" on arrival.

The fire is not believed to be suspicious.