Fire crews rushed to the historic site, on the corner of Ulong and Olympic Streets, just after 6.30pm to find the front of the building well alight.

As stunned onlookers watched on, the fire quickly spread to the second floor of the building.

No one was injured. 

Olympic, Ulong and Railway streets were closed to traffic for a number of hours as fire crews and crime scene investigators scoured the affected area.

Speaking from the scene, NSW Fire and Rescue zone commander Andrew Cozens said parts of the building had been "totally destroyed".

"The front office area is totally destroyed and there's a lot of heat and smoke still coming from the building," he said.

"We're just trying to make sure the fire hasn't spread anywhere else.

Inspector Stuart Gair from Griffith Police said the blaze was being treated as suspicious "until proven otherwise".

"There is substantial damage to the building, which will require a large clean-up operation," Inspector Gair said.

"An investigation will determine the cause of the fire."

Disbelieving staff quickly attended the scene. 

Manager of The Area News Lyn Urquhart said they have been shocked by the event. 

"It is devastating to look at the building and know that all the hard work people have in it has been destroyed," she said. 

"The staff are distressed."

Emergency relocation plans were quickly put into place to see Area News journalists relocated to the Leeton Irrigator.

Other staff have been given the day off. 

Despite the incident, Ms Urquhart said the paper would continue to be published as normal. 

It is hoped a temporary office site will be located and established by Monday. 

Police are calling on witnesses to contact investigators on 6969 4299.

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Need to contact The Area News?

Phone Lyn Urquhart on 0427 496 374. 

All classifieds can be provided to the Leeton Irrigator on 6953 2255.

Editorial inquiries can be directed to Daniel Johns on 0425 304 010.

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