Arts Centre catches fire during fireworks

The Arts Centre in Melbourne. Photo / Visions of Victoria

Structural engineers will check Melbourne's Arts Centre spire for damage after a small fire caused by fireworks on New Year's Eve.

Crowds in Melbourne's CBD were shocked when the flames began licking the spire after fireworks were launched from the structure during New Year's Eve celebrations.

More than 100 callers rang triple-zero to report the fire and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade dispatched 25 firefighters in seven vehicles, which had trouble getting through the thousands of people.

Falling debris from the structure forced police to cordon off the area.

By the time the fire brigade arrived, debris from the burning spire had fallen onto the roof below.

Arts Centre acting chief executive Tim Brinkman said the fire appeared to have caused minor damage and the spire's lights continued to shine throughout the night.

He said the fire appeared to have started in one of the firework units in the structure.

Staff evacuated the building after the fireworks finished discharging, he said.

The fire burnt out in 40 minutes and staff entered the building again just after 1am (AEDT), he said.

A small fire on the building's roof caused by falling debris was extinguished by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB), he said.

"While it is unlikely that anything other than cosmetic damage has occurred, the MFB has asked Arts Centre Melbourne to arrange a structural inspection of the spire," Mr Brinkman said in a statement.

"Arrangements are being made for this to happen."

He said further inspections would be carried out on New Year's Day.

The Arts Centre is working with the City of Melbourne, which staged the fireworks, to investigate the cause of the fire.

"We will do a full investigation to find the cause in the hope that Arts Centre Melbourne can continue to play a spectacular role during future New Year's Eve celebrations," Mr Brinkman said.

He said it was business as usual at the Arts Centre, with all performances running to schedule.

- AAP