A building that used to house a country pub in the West Coast town of Reefton has gone up in flames

Firefighters were called to the blaze just after 5.30 this morning.

Fire and Emergency says crews from across the region are battling to bring the fire under control, and everyone appears to be accounted for.

Shift Commander Brent Dunn says it's a single storey building, on the corner of Buller Road and Shaw Street, which used to house the Inangahua Arms Hotel.

Locals describe seeing lots of flashing lights.