A well-known Christchurch pub has substantial damage after a fire early on Friday morning.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
The blaze, which started in the roof of the Fitz Sports Bar, also forced the evacuation of a neighbouring motel - which included a group from Motueka who almost missed a national dance competition.
Fire and Emergency shift manager Daniel Reilly said crews were called to the bar on the corner of Cashel St and Fitzgerald Ave at 5am, after smoke was seen coming from the roof.
He said crews found the fire well alight, and it increased to cover 20 metres by 40 metres.
Four crews attended the fire.
Angela Fox was part of a group of 10 who had travelled to Christchurch for the competition, which was scheduled to start at 8.30am.
They were woken early to a police officer banging on their door and ordering them to leave.
Fox said they only had time to grab their phones and had to stand on the street in their pyjamas.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
After sheltering at another nearby motel, they were finally allowed back in to their rooms and rushed to make the competition on time.
"We all literally had half an hour to get back in to the room, get the costumes, get showered and get out. And we made it."
The cause of the fire was still being investigated.
Fire engines respond to a callout at the Fitz Sports Bar in Christchurch Photo: RNZ / Jeremy Rees