A scrub fire that stopped trains and threatened a homeless man's tent covered about 400sqm in Matapihi.

Flames were clearly visible from The Strand side of Tauranga Harbour as the fire rage on at about 9pm.

Northern Fire Communications shift manager Jaron Phillips says two crews rushed to Matapihi Road following reports of the fire.

He says the fire covered about 400sqm and was 'quite visible”.

'There's a report that a homeless man lives in that area. There's a lot of gorse on fire near his tent.”

Jaron says the blaze was near train tracks and trains had to be stopped while firefighters tackled the fire.