Melbourne pier blaze deemed suspicious

A fire at a Port Melbourne pier that forced the evacuation of more than 20 people has been deemed suspicious by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

Firefighters attended Station Pier after a triple-zero call just after midday on Monday.

When they arrived firefighters found a switchboard had sparked the fire, which had spread into the wall and roof.

It took crews about one hour to contain the blaze.

Police will now investigate the incident, MFB spokesman David Rankine said.

The pier building has suffered significant internal damage, with the structural impact yet to be determined, he added.

The fire is not expected to impact operations of the Spirit of Tasmania.

Asbestos was found at the site and precautions are in place.

No one was injured in the fire.