Smoke is drifting across the Mount Maunganui Central Parade area after more than 8000 tonnes of palm kernel went up in flames overnight.

Fire fighters controlling the smoky remnants of the Swap warehouse this morning.

The fire in the J Swap warehouse at the intersection of Hull Road and Totara Street was well alight when fire fighters were called at about 12.45am.

The fire burned furiously for several hours.

All available on-duty fire fighters in the city were called, plus off-duty staff.

Volunteers from outlying brigades were called to stand watches at the city stations.

Tauranga Fire senior station officer Phil Price says the intersection of Hull Road and Totara Street will remain closed today for several hours as machinery is brought in to dismantle the remains of the industrial building.

Keep checking SunLive for more information about this fire.

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