Tauranga firefighters are warning gas bottle heater owners to get them checked following a heater fire overnight.

Crews from the Greerton station were dispatched to a 21st Avenue address at 9.40pm.

Portable gas bottle heaters need regular servicing. File Photo.

Greerton station officer Bill Rackham says the gas heater which caught fire was an older type made in 2003.

'It appears it hadn't been serviced recently and a leak developed in the area under the control switches,” says Bill. 'It caught fire and the people were very lucky it wasn't more serious.”

Bill is encouraging gas bottle heater owners to have them serviced before winter and to check the connections every time the bottle is refilled. Soapy water brushed over the connections will show gas leaks by bubbling.

Portable gas bottle heaters have caused several fires in Tauranga in the past, says Bill.