Fire caused $5m damage to the Struan Research Centre early on Saturday morning.

Just after midnight on police responded to an alarm activation at the research facility.

While officers were searching the property, they saw smoke and flames coming from a building.

Thirty CFS firefighters and two hazmat teams arrived to find the research centre and laboratory fully engulfed in flames.

The intensity of the blaze caused the ceiling to collapse.

Crews worked to ensure the historic Struan House was saved.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known and fire investigators are inspecting the scene.