A popular Department of Conservation (DoC) hut has burnt to the ground with no obvious cause.
Lake Dive Hut on Mt Taranaki burnt down at some point over the weekend - and now officials are searching for the cause of the blaze.
A fire investigator, police and DoC staff will assess the hut remains on Tuesday to determine a cause of the fire.
DoCs Taranaki operations manager Gareth Hopkins says it's "quite a loss".
"Many people will have fond memories of staying overnight there."
He says it's too early to tell if or when the hut will be rebuilt but signs will be installed to tell campers the hut is no longer there.
A return walk to the hut, using the Lake Dive Track, takes between seven and eight hours.
Anyone with further information on the incident is encouraged to contact DoC's New Plymouth office on 06 759 0350.
