Christchurch Firefighters have contained a large blaze at a furniture store in Sockburn this afternoon.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand say they were called to the fire on Watts Road just after midday.

By the time fire appliances arrived at the scene, the A and A Furniture store was well ablaze.

Nearby offices on Watts Road were evacuated as a precautionary measure sending onlookers on to the footpath to watch the fire.

No one was injured during the blaze.

A Christchurch Fire Command Unit was set up on the road, because of the size of the blaze and the busy location near Blenheim Road.

The fire was brought until control just before 2pm.

Watts Road was cordoned off by police while firefighters attended the blaze.

The smoke was visible from many parts of Christchurch this afternoon including from Kaiapoi.