Flames and black smoke can be seen coming from a house fire in Tauranga this afternoon.

A SunLive reader has emailed photos showing firefighters dealing with the fire on 8th Ave.

It appear to be in a two storey house and two fire trucks are in attendance.

Northern fire communications shift manager Simon Lyford says Fire and Emergency New Zealand was called out to the scene at about 1.40pm.

"We responded with two appliances from Tauranga and one from Mount Maunganui. When crews arrived on the scene the fire was well involved," says Simon.

"They have confirmed it is a two storey residential dwelling, approximately 150 square metres in size.

"Fire is currently on the southern end of the house, and they have since called for a fire investigator."

When asked if the fire was under control now, the fire communications manager said he was "unsure".

"That's all the information we have at this stage."

SunLive is working on gathering more information and will provide an update as soon as possible.