Fire crews have rushed to the scene of a blaze at a Taupō high school which is spewing black smoke across the skyline.

A witness told the Herald fire she had been going shopping when she noticed the nearby blaze.

“We have had fire trucks coming from everywhere.”

She believed there were three or four fire engines at the scene.

“It’s a big fire. I feel sorry for the kids. There will be some kids who will be happy and some kids who will be sad.

“The [trucks] have been coming and going. It’s still massive black smoke. You can see the flames.”

Another video from the scene sent to the Herald showed firefighters dramatically climbing onto the roof of the burning building, with crew members below passing them a hose.

They can be seen standing on the roof while enormous flames pour from the building 10m away.

A second witness told the Herald she could hear booms and explosions from her house as the fire tore through the building.

Fire and Emergency NZ is reported to have responded around 2.10pm with crews from Taupō and Lake Taupō stations and have been contacted for comment.

A firefighter climbed onto the roof of Taupo Nui a Tia College to battle the blaze which has broken out this afternoon.