Bright lights from a freight vessel off the coast of Mount Maunganui appear to have been mistaken through webcams as a large fire on board.

Reports have been coming in to SunLive from members of the public who thought there may possibly be a ship on fire.

Information, however, suggests this is in fact due to bright lights on a freight vessel.

People viewing the ship through the Mount coast live cameras have seen large flickering lights out to sea beyond Motuotau (Rabbit) Island.

The Surf 2 Surf cameras showed what appeared to be a large fire on a ship.

Others fishing off Papamoa Beach say they can't see anything.

A SunLive reporter at Mount Main beach has confirmed that a freight vessel is off the coast but there doesn't appear to be a fire.

Fire and Emergency NZ say that there is no fire on board.

The vessel viewed from Marine Parade about 10pm.

The vessel viewed from Marine Parade about 10pm.