About 300 staff at the New Zealand Transport Agency's head office in central Wellington have had to move out because of an early morning fire at a cafe below.
A Fire Service spokesperson says the blaze broke out at the Emporio espresso bar in Chews Lane just before 3.30am on Friday.
It caused substantial damage to the cafe and activated its sprinkler system.
A Transport Agency spokesperson says affected staff will work from other offices in Wellington on Friday because of fears about smoke inhalation.
The building will be closed over the weekend so the office can be cleaned.
