A person has been charged with arson after two motel units were destroyed in a fire on Ferry Road in Waltham.

Emergency services were called to the Ferry Motel at about 5.15PM on Wednesday.

A Fire and Emergency spokesman said by the time the first appliance arrived, both units were well ablaze.

He said they received multiple calls from the public about the fire.

Fire appliances from Spreydon, Woolston, and Christchurch City station attended the scene.

A police spokesman told Chris Lynch Media the occupants inside the premises evacuated before emergency services arrived.

The fire was being treated as suspicious and a person was been taken into custody, on charges of arson and possession of methamphetamine utensils.

Fire investigators were also called the scene. Ferry Road was blocked off, but was now clear.