A Whakatāne school has lost eight classrooms as an entire block went up in flames last night.
The A Block at Apanui School was well ablaze by the time fire crews arrived. Photo: Supplied / ApanuI School
Four crews were called to the fire at Apanui School on McAlister Street at 2am, where the two-storey building was well alight.
A fire investigator is at the scene. Fire and Emergency shift manager Craig Dally said it was too early to know if it was suspicious.
In a social media post this morning, the school confirmed it had lost all of A Block - a nearly-completed administration block renovation and a block of eight classrooms, eight classrooms, toilets and a temporary staffroom.
The aftermath of the fire. Photo: Supplied / Apanui School
Principal Simon Akroyd said the entire school community were shocked by the fire.
Akroyd praised the local volunteer Fire and Emergency crew. "The cause is yet unknown and I know the FENZ team will work to determine this.
"Right now though, our focus is on our school community - the students, their whanau, and our staff - and supporting them all as best we can.
"Apanui School has a strong sense of whanaungatanga and I know the school and wider community will come together as we rebuild stronger."
Further north, fire crews are working to put out a scrub fire in Coromandel.
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said eight crews were called to the scrub fire near Port Jackson Road in Waiaro just after midnight.
The fire has burnt through eight hectares.