It's a sad day for residents across the Omaio area.
Highway 35, Omaio's only general store, was gutted by a fire yesterday afternoon.
Crews arrived at the scene on State Highway 35, Omaio at 1pm.
"The fire was well involved upon arrival," a Fire and Emergency spokesperson says.
Three appliances and one water tanker from the Ōpōtiki and Waihau Bay stations attended the scene.
"The fire was suppressed and under control by 2:35pm," the spokesperson says.
According to a post on the Highway 35's Facebook page, the shop is now closed indefinitely due to the fire.