The Glenmark Rugby clubrooms, home to some of our greatest All Blacks, has been destroyed by fire.

A police officer tried to kick in a door as he fought to save decades of All Blacks history from a fire at a rugby club building.

However, Constable Craig Newman was forced back by the heat of the flames as they ripped through the Glenmark Rugby Football Club at Omihi, about 68 kilometres north of Christchurch, early Friday.

"I just had to stand back and watch it burn," Newman said.

1 of 9 CRAIG NEWMAN The historic Glenmark rugby clubrooms in Omihi, North Canterbury, were destroyed by fire in the early hours of Friday. All Blacks memorabilia, including former All Black Robbie Deans' jerseys, were believed lost. 2 of 9 CRAIG NEWMAN The clubrooms were virtually destroyed in the blaze. 3 of 9 CRAIG NEWMAN Local policeman Craig Newman discovered the fire. 4 of 9 CRAIG NEWMAN Firefighters do battle as the historic Glenmark rugby clubrooms burn. 5 of 9 JONATHAN LEASK / FAIRFAX NZ A fundraising drive has started after the fire largely destroyed the historic Glenmark rugby clubrooms in Omihi, North Canterbury. 6 of 9 JONATHAN LEASK / FAIRFAXNZ The fire gutted the historic clubrooms. 7 of 9 JONATHAN LEASK/FAIRFAXNZ Former All Blacks coach Alex "Grizz" Wyllie, a Glenmark rugby club stalwart, speaks about the devastation caused by the fire. 8 of 9 JONATHAN LEASK / FAIRFAXNZ Rugby jerseys and historic photos were among the memorabilia lost in the fire. 9 of 9 JONATHAN LEASK/FAIRFAX NZ The club has produced 10 All Blacks over the years, including Todd Blackadder, Robbie Deans, Bruce Deans, Craig Green, and Andy Earl.

Robbie Deans' jerseys were reportedly among the memorabilia lost as the clubrooms burnt to the ground.

A fundraising drive has started, with a Givealittle page set up to help the club rebuild.

The club has produced 10 All Blacks over the years, including Todd Blackadder, Robbie Deans, Bruce Deans, Craig Green, and Andy Earl.

CRAIG NEWMAN Fire rips through the Glenmark Rugby Football Club in North Canterbury.

Senior Sergeant Paul Reeves said the fire was not believed to be suspicious.

Fire investigator Mike Gaskin believed an electrical fault in a dishwasher behind the bar caused the fire.

Newman said he was driving back to Amberley after he had been called to a pub fight in Cheviot when he came across the blaze.

"I could see the glow in the sky ... and I thought someone had left the flood lights on at the rugby club."

As he got closer he could see the clubrooms and the hedge next to it were well alight.

He was the second person on the scene and radioed for help before trying to salvage some of the trophies, jerseys and club photographs from inside.

"I went round the back of the building to try and get entry. I put my hand on the door but it was too hot so then I gave it a couple of kicks to try and get in."

It was then that Newman saw the smoke that was billowing out from under the roofing iron.

"I thought getting in was only going to make it worse by adding oxygen or it was going to be too hot inside."

Realising there was nothing he could do, Newman stood back and took several photos of the fire.

"Going forward you're mindful for the history of the club. In 100 years time it will be the night the Glenmark club burnt down."

Club stalwart and former All Black coach Alex "Grizz" Wyllie said it was lucky some items were salvaged from the blaze.

"I think the fire brigade did a marvellous job to save what they have saved because a building that age, with wood that dry... it would have been gone in a very short time.

"The kitchen area is badly smoke damaged, but the rest of it is virtually a complete write-off."

He spoke about the 90-year history of the building, and the memories which had gone up in flames.

"In 1924, a number of the local residents got together and built it. So yeah, there's a lot of history gone there.

"There's been everything from... well, you name it. Celebrations, funerals, weddings, 21sts. And with the rugby club coming involved in later years, celebrations where victories were concerned as well.

"So there's a lot of history there."

Earl, an All Black from 1986 to 1992, said the clubrooms were a special place and the fire was "a bit of a shame".

His family had a long affiliation with the club. He played for the club since he was 5 years old and five of his brothers played for the club.

The club had one photo of his under-11 team that had four boys – Richard Loe, Bruce Deans, Robbie Deans and himself – who went on to become All Blacks.

"That kind of thing is very special. It's not a big club, just a country area," Earl said.

Glenmark's senior team manager Nick Hamilton told Radio New Zealand that Deans' jerseys were among the items destroyed.

CLUB FOUND WELL ABLAZE

A Fire Service spokesman said the first two crews who arrived shortly after 12.30am, from Amberley and Waipara, found the single storey building "well involved in fire".

The fire spread to a nearby hedge and caused "substantial damage" to the clubrooms. It took ten crews from five stations about two hours to bring the fire under control.

The blaze was initially treated as suspicious, but the cause was "undetermined", fire investigator Mike Gaskin said. The building had been secure.

The Glenmark-Cheviot rugby club was to hold its end of season function at the clubrooms on Saturday night, with more than 200 players, management and supporters expected to attend.

They hoped to find an alternative venue for the function.

Earl said he watched his old club play Oxford earlier in the season.

"We had a few beers afterwards and I walked around with someone I drive with and reminisced on all the photos which was nice."

Glenmark Rugby Football Club past president Scott Berry said the damage was significant.

"All the old pictures and all the old history of the club will be gone," he said.

The Glenmark Rugby Football Club has set up a Givealittle page to help them rebuild the club.

For more information visit: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/glenmarkrugbyfire