The historic Karangahake Hall was destroyed by fire this morning.
A 111 call from a passing truck driver alerted emergency services to the fire at the hall, about 5km from Paeroa, about 5am today.
Paeroa Fire Brigade station officer Paul Jackson said the whole hall was `well involved' when they arrived
at Karangahake.
"We could see the red glow in the sky as we came from Paeroa and our pagers said it was well involved,'' said Mr Jackson.
Exploding fibre light woke nearby neighbours who also called 111, but all they could do was watch as the historic hall went up in flames.
Eastern Waikato Fire Service fire safety officer, Ross Fleet who was at the scene said he had ben asked to look at the cause of the fire.
"I don't think its accidental. The cause of the fire is suspicious and fire investigation and the CIB will be investigating.''
He said he could not make any further comment until the investigation was complete.
The hall built in 1957 was a community hall and held regular markets, bowls games and by local school students for sport and other activities.
