A massive fire that broke out at a BP petrol station in Napier is not being treated as suspicious.
Emergency services responded to the blaze on Main North Rd in Bay View around 9:30pm on Friday.
A police spokesperson told Newshub the fire, which took several hours to extinguish, is likely to be accidental.
"While the cause of the fire is yet to be officially determined by Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) and police investigators, preliminary enquiries have established a container of petrol was filled, placed inside a vehicle, and subsequently ignited by a flame from a cigarette lighter."
"Initial indications are this was accidental, however police will continue to review all facts in conjunction with FENZ."
Luckily, there were no injuries or deaths.
"The entire service station forecourt was alight within minutes and it is nothing short of a miracle that nobody was injured or killed.
"There appears to be little or no damage to the main business premises itself."
Video footage from locals show the large blaze, and witnesses said they heard explosions.
"Bay View BP across from my house," one resident posted on Facebook.
"Heard a siren and thought it was a car horn. Ran outside to the forecourt on fire and exploding."
Police commended the actions of the BP staff as well as FENZ for their quick and professional response.
"The positive actions of the BP staff at the time to respond quickly to an exceptionally dangerous situation made a significant difference to the outcome."
