Blaze destroys Papamoa automotive workshop

An automotive workshop was destroyed by fire last night.

Firefighters from Papamoa, Greerton, Tauranga and Mount Maunganui rushed to Harman Automotive in Papamoa about 11pm last night and found the building completely engulfed in flames.

On call commander Jeff Maunder said firefighters contained the fire to the one property and had it under control by midnight.

"The troops did a good job of preventing the spread," he said.

He said there were a lot of tyres in one of the neighbouring businesses.

The 50 metre by 20 metre building was completely burnt out, he said.

"It was a total loss. There was a number of gas cylinders that did go bang."

Mr Maunder said the cause of the fire was unclear and was being investigated by police and fire investigators.