Gisborne CBD fire damage 'catastrophic'

A fire in Gisborne last night caused "catastrophic" damage to the city's business heart, fire authorities say.

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Fire engulfed the top two levels of the historic Adair Building and incinerated floors and the roof.

Flames could be seen leaping up to 15 metres above the building's former skyline.

Hundreds of Gisborne residents last night witnessed the blaze on Gladstone Rd where the ground-level businesses Dick Smith Electronics and extensively-refurbished Food for Thought cafe are sited.

Both stores suffered massive damage.

Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at 7.37pm and the building was already an inferno when they arrived.

There was initial concern that there might have been people inside but it was understood the two floors were vacant in preparation for earthquake repairs.

The damage was such that the building was too dangerous for firefighters to enter last night.

Fire burned through the floor of the building's third storey, which fell through to the second storey.

The ground floor was heat, smoke and water-damaged.

"The building's upper two levels suffered catastrophic damage," said Tairawhiti fire safety officer Derek Goodwin.

"But extremely hard work by all of the crews kept the fire mostly contained to those two levels."

Mr Goodwin will be assisted by an investigator from Hawke's Bay to try to establish the cause of the fire.

It is understood the roof had been leaking all day.

New Zealand Fire Service assistant area manager Rob Karaitiana said there were initial concerns that last night's strong winds could spread the fire to neighbouring CBD buildings.

"I was worried to start with but. . .it has concrete walls and, fortunately for us, it became a fire cell."

Mr Karaitiana said other stores within the block were also significantly damaged.

"It's devastating. . .we have lost six to seven structures below. They were essentially the life blood of the CBD," he said.

"It's a huge loss to Gisborne."

A block on Gladstone Rd remained partially closed to the public this morning as a crane was used to remove some of the debris.

There is concern the building's facade could fall down. Engineers and fire authorities were working with Gisborne District Council this morning to consider the facade's future.

- NZPA