The fire that devastated Mount Albert's Marist Rugby League Club on Thursday morning is being treated as arson, police say.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said crews were called to Murray Halberg Park in Mt Albert at 3:30am, where the Marist Rugby League Club was destroyed in the blaze.
The aftermath of the blaze showed the building of the historic club in pieces and members devastated.
In an update on Friday afternoon, police said the blaze is being treated as arson.
"Our enquiries are continuing to locate those responsible," a police spokesperson said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police via the 105 phone service or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.
The club has more than 100 years of history after being founded in 1919 and moved to the park in the 1970s.
It was home to junior playing days of the likes of former All Black Sonny Bill Williams and former New Zealand Rugby League player Francis Meli. The club has produced 46 New Zealand international rugby league players in its history.
The chief executive of Auckland Rugby League, Rebecca Russell, said she was gutted.
"Marist-Saints has a long history so this is devastating for our community. We are working with Fire and Emergency New Zealand as they investigate what may have caused the fire and are unable to comment further at this time," she said in a statement.
