Black, thick smoke covered the industrial area of Tauranga this morning as firefighters dealt with a large blaze.

Around six fire trucks, with 30 to 35 firefighters were called to Glasgow Street about 10.33am to find the Action Equipment building engulfed in flames.

Firefighters dealing with a fire at Action Equipment on Glasgow Street. Photos and video: Tracy Hardy.

Assistant area commander Jeff Maunder says the building is about 15m by 20m in length.

'The fire has been successfully extinguished and it's been contained within the structure it started.

'The building is a two storey building with a mezzanine floor that in itself has some challenges.” Jeff says there were some high pressure gas cylinders that were located to the rear of the building.

'We're just dealing with those by cooling them and making them safe. It probably took about 20-25 minutes to get the fire under control, bearing in mind that under control is not out.

'We will probably be here for about three to four hours.”

Once firefighters have completely their operation, they will move to determine the cause of the fire.

Jeff says they have already spoken with a number of witnesses who were there when the fire started.

He says there was no one in the building at the time of the fire.

Photo from Mitch Harris of smoke seen from accross the harbour.

Photos taken by Lindie du Toit from the Takitimu Drive side of the fire.

More photos are available on our original story here.