A fire has ripped through the Bowker Park Business Centre, at Komani in the Eastern Cape, destroying a number of warehouses and causing damage estimated at R80 million, local publication SABC reported.

According to the report, the blaze occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning.

An adjacent building used by the Police's Supply Chain Management section as offices was also damaged.

Last month, the historic city hall in the town burned down. According to Police Spokesperson, Majola Nkohli, a case of arson is being investigated.

"South African Police Service members were patrolling the area when they noticed smoke coming out of the building, they went to investigate and they found municipal offices and the hall on fire. Firefighters were immediately called to extinguish the blaze but at that time extensive damage had already been incurred. We had not made any arrest nor injuries were reported at this stage," Police Spokesperson, Thembinkosi Kinana said. 

(With input from agencies)