Firefighters in Hastings tackle fire at Hawke's Bay Opera House

A scene guard and fire vehicle after a fire at the Hawke's Bay Opera House in Hastings last night. Photo Paul Taylor

Emergency services spent three hours at the Hawke's Bay Opera House last night after a fire was lit inside the building.

Hastings Senior Station Officer, Mike Peachey said they were notified of the fire about 10.15pm, by a crew attending a different fire job in Hastings.

He said all resources in the area had gone towards putting out the fire.

Nine appliances attended the scene on Hastings St.

Fire and Emergency crews were seen battling the blaze last night. Photo / Adam Codlin

The fire was on the ground floor of the three-storey building, behind the stage area.

"It was quite well-contained due to the construction of the building," Peachey said.

It's understood most of the damage was smoke-related.

A police spokeswoman said they were flagged down by a member of the public who noticed smoke coming out of the roof.

Nine fire appliances spent three hours battling the blaze at the Hawke's Bay Opera House. Photo / Adam Codlin

She said their role was to assist Fire and Emergency crews.

"We are working with fire to determine the cause."

Last year the government invested $4 million towards the cost of earthquake-proofing the Opera House.

Reconstruction of the building is ongoing.