Fire crews are trying to find out what started a blaze that has destroyed part of a Northland marae.
There is nothing left of the wharekai at Whakapara marae, north of Whangarei.
Six crews were called in to fight the fire which started at about 4am this morning.
LPG cylinders at the back of the wharekai helped fuel the flames.
Fire Service iwi liaison officer Wayne Martin said it was a significant loss for the small community.
"It's a total loss. Anything like this, it's pretty devastating for any community," he said.
