Historic Rockingham Hotel damaged by fire

Detectives are looking for a suspected arsonist after part of the historic Rockingham Hotel went up in flames.

Emergency services were called to the abandoned building on Kent Street just after 6pm on Thursday after reports flames were seen coming from the top story.

It took firefighters about an hour to extinguish the blaze, which they managed to contain to one room.

Rockingham Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire, which is being treated as suspicious.

Rewards of up to $25,000 are available for information that leads to the identification and conviction of an arsonist.

Anyone with information regarding this fire, or who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the scene around the time of the fire, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au.

The fire comes just two weeks after the new owners of the 137-year-old building proposed to have it demolished so a new tavern could be built in its place.

The proposal added the hotel was being regularly vandalised and people were illegally entering the building.