Dunedin residents have been urged to stay inside after a large fire broke out in Roslyn.

Fire and Emergency confirmed to the Herald the Roslyn Scout Group Hall went up around 3.30pm.

It is a third-alarm fire with eight trucks in attendance.

An emergency alert was sent out a short time later asking nearby residents to stay inside due to the smoke.

A shift manager told NZME a fire truck was by chance on way back to the station when it noticed the smoke and went to check it out.

Fire and Emergency is asking people north of Stuart St to stay indoors due to a large amount of smoke billowing.

Police said Stuart St was currently blocked following a structure fire this afternoon.

Dunedin locals have received an emergency alert urging them to stay inside after a fire broke out in Roslyn.

“Police were called to assist Fire and Emergency New Zealand around 3.40pm.

“Cordons are in place on Stuart St from Kaikorai Valley Rd to Highgate.

“Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.”