Fire crews have extinguished a blaze at the iconic Sheffield Hotel in Canterbury, located about 50km inland of Christchurch.
Emergency services were called to the 1800s-era building shortly after 1am on Thursday morning.
The sole occupant of the hotel alerted fire crews as she woke to the sound of smoke alarms.
The woman escaped unharmed.
The building has suffered extensive damage, particularly to the upper level and roof.
A fire investigator is on-site, but it is not yet known how the fire started.
RNZ
