Mosque fire suspicious - police

A fire at an Auckland mosque that has been at the centre of allegations of extremist Islamic teaching is being treated as suspicious.

Police believe a small fire located at a storage area in the Avondale Islamic Centre on Blockhouse Bay Rd in West Auckland did not start accidentally.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Newman from Glenn Innes CIB said staff were presently reviewing information received from members of the public.

"We would like to hear from anyone else who may be able to provide additional information around this incident and ask that they call police on 09 3026557," Mr Newman said.

Two fire trucks were called to the Avondale Islamic Centre on Blockhouse Bay Rd in West Auckland at 2.45am on Sunday.

Watch: Fire at Avondale Islamic Centre

Fire Service northern communications manager Megan Ruru said the fire was bigger than first thought, and another four trucks were sent.

Earlier this year, the centre's former imam, Sheikh Abu Abdulla, was banned from the mosque after allegedly teaching an extreme form of the Islamic faith.

He denied the allegations.