Fire investigators have been called to a suspicious fire at Christchurch’s historic Harley Chambers building.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman says crews were called to the blaze at 4:28pm.

Three crews from the Christchurch Central City station attended.

He says when they arrived they discovered the fire was confined to one room.

The Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman says they believe the fire is suspicious and police have also been called to the scene.

Staff at Law firm Lane Neave located next door were told to evacuate.

The building made it on to the Christchurch City Council’s “dirty 30” earthquake-damaged buildings list.

Plans to demolish the decaying building and construct a six-star hotel were announced in 2017, but that proposal was eventually shelved the following year.

Harley Chambers is a 1920s category two heritage building.