Police and the Fire Service are currently investigating a fire which completely destroyed the Rongotai College Gymnasium in the early hours of Sunday morning, 26 December 2010.

Emergency Services were alerted by several calls from members of the public in the Rongotai, Kilbirnie area at approximately 1.10 am this morning and arrived on scene to find the school gymnasium completely engulfed in flames.

Northerly winds which were fanning the flames lead to the temporary evacuation of residents from their addresses in nearby Kingsford Smith Street.

The Fire Service worked for several hours to bring the blaze under control.

The heat of the fire was such that the steel framed roof collapsed inwards.

Emergency Services are still on site today and will work towards securing the scene in the first instance so that an examination to determine the cause of the fire can be safely conducted.

Police would ask that any persons who were in the area at the time or may have any information relating to the fire to contact the Wellington CIB on 381 2000.

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