The fire was now out and crews were dampening down hot spots. Initial reports came in around 8.15am of a fire in a carport attached to a house, a police spokeswoman said.
Fire crews from Lake Tarawera, Lake Okareka, Rotorua and Ngongotahā were on scene. The road was closed from about 230 Spencer Rd.
A Tarawera resident said she woke up to a phone call from her best friend in Auckland, asking her to check on their house. "Their house is right next to the one that's burning". "They're frantic."