Firefighters have extinguished the majority of a fire at a two-storey building in Sanson, 24km northwest of Palmerston North.
The building, Woodlands Lodge, went up in flames after 3pm today.
Sixteen appliances were fighting the fire, which started when a gas bottle exploded inside the building, which was backpackers' accommodation with a restaurant.
Fire crews had extinguished the majority of the fire and were now dampening down hot spots, fire communications shift manager, Murray Dunbar said.
Because of a shortage of water, fire crews had been using water from Sanson School swimming pool.
Firefighters from Feilding, Marton, Linton Army Camp, Ohakea air base, and Halcombe had been battling the fire.
There were no reports of anyone inside the building.
