'So much of Nimbin gone forever': locals in shock after suspicious blaze guts iconic buildings

A blaze that destroyed at least eight iconic buildings in the northern NSW town of Nimbin early this morning is being treated as suspicious.

Dramatic amateur video has captured the moment fire tore through Cullen St, destroying the town's museum, Bring a Bong Cafe and the well-known Rainbow Cafe.

Emergency services were called to the scene around 3.30am and found several buildings well alight. Residents believe about eight businesses went up in flames.

It took 34 firefighters and nine trucks to extinguish the blaze.

Fortunately no one was injured. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Locals said they were in shock as they woke to the news of the fire.

Darren Butcher, who runs the Nimbin Bakery, had just started work when he was forced to evacuate the building.

"There's about eight businesses that have been completely destroyed," he told AAP.

"It's sad for the town - (we're) in shock and disbelief."

Nimbin survives on small businesses and already struggles with high unemployment, Mr Butcher said.

"But we're very resilient out here," he said.

Museum manager Michael Balderstone said the fire will have a huge impact on the town, known for its alternative culture and has a population of about 1000.

"It's really right in the middle of town, the Rainbow's probably the heart," he told ABC Local Radio.

"The museum's the biggest tourist attraction. It's a bloody mess."

Partner in the Nimbin Museum, Elspeth Jones, says she got a phone call about the fire at 4am.

"We drove straight here, but 10km out I could see the glow in the sky and I knew it was bad," she said.

"It was an inferno.

"It's just old wood, but it's also Nimbin's history.

"I've been coming to this museum every day for 22 years. It's been in my constant care.

"I am in shock."

One local tweeted "So much of Nimbin in gone forever".

A crime scene has been established and specialist forensic investigators will begin examining the site once it has been deemed safe to enter.

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