A factory fire on Maleme Street overnight has sparked an arson investigation as police look to find the person responsible.

Greerton Fire Brigade was called to the fire on Maleme Street at 11.30pm to find one of the walls on fire.

Police are investigating an arson attack which sparked a fire call out overnight.

Tauranga Fire Brigade station officer Phil Price says it was only a small fire, but firefighters spent about an hour and a half at the scene.

'Someone tried to break in and tripped the burglary alarm. This alerted the owner who went down, found the fire and called 111.

'The fire was only small but caused the building to be smoke logged. It was lucky the owner came down when he did otherwise it might have been worse.”

Tauranga Police Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders confirmed to SunLive police are investigating the arson.

He says the investigation is in its early stages and there is not much more he can say at the moment.