Blaze rips through Whanganui home in Wicksteed St

A fire investigator and police are at the Wicksteed St property this morning. Photo / Bevan Conley

Whanganui fire crews were called to a large blaze at a central city house early on Friday morning.

Three fire engines arrived at the Wicksteed St property, in the block between London and Glasgow streets, around 2.20am and firefighters discovered the fire in the rear of the house.

A FENZ spokesman confirmed the house was unoccupied and was well alight when fire crews arrived.

Fire ripped through the house early on Friday morning. Photo / Bevan Conley

Fire and Emergency Whanganui station officer Jason Hamlin said there is significant damage to the right rear end of the property.

"The fire was contained to around two to three rooms towards the rear end of the house and there is a bit of smoke damage to the rest of the building."

Hamlin said it took around 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

A fire investigator arrived at the scene on Friday morning to determine the cause of the fire. Police are also at the property.

Hamlin said there was cause for suspicion because the house was unoccupied.

A police spokeswoman said the fire was being treated as suspicious and police are investigating.

A police photographer is working at the property this morning. Photo / Bevan Conley