A mother's described the moment she saw parts of a Whakatane school erupt into flames

Fire crews were called to a blaze at Apanui Primary School around two am.

It's now out but not before reducing eight classrooms and a temporary staff room to rubble.

Danni Rose, and her child who attends the school, awoke after hearing loud noise outside their home.

She says from her house she could see all the smoke coming from the school's building and the sky was lit up and glowing.

A fire investigator is at the scene today.