Firefighters put out petrol station blaze

A fire in a petrol station near Gisborne, which caused the evacuation of neighbouring properties, has been put out tonight.

Fire crews were called to the fire at Rangatira Motors in Te Karaka, about 30km from Gisborne, shortly before 8pm. It took more than an hour to extinguish the blaze, Fire Service spokesman David Meikle said.

The building had been well-alight, and would have suffered substantial damage, he said.

Fire brigades were called from Gisborne and other areas nearby.

Fire safety investigators and police would begin an investigation tomorrow morning.

Cordons remained in place, police said.

- NZPA