An intense overnight fire has destroyed a heritage cottage in the heart of Byron Bay, marking the second major blaze to hit the CBD in less than a month.

Emergency crews were called to 88 Jonson Street, in Byron’s historic railway precinct, just after 10.30pm by which time the timber cottage was already well alight.

The building had been boarded up and firefighters do not believe anyone was occupying it at the time.

The old house was listed on Byron’s heritage register. (Photo-Apple maps)

Main Image: Firefighters spraying water on to the adjoining shop to stop the flames spreading (Images: Facebook)

Crews did not attempt to enter the structure because of the intensity of the fire , instead battling the blaze from outside while concentrating on protecting adjoining buildings in the tightly packed railway precinct.

Locals described thick smoke and towering flames as crews fought to bring the situation under control.

Additional crews were called in from Bangalow and Brunswick Heads , along with the Rural Fire Service volunteers , with the fire brought under control within a couple of hours.

Firefighters left the scene about 2.30am before Byron crews were called back around 6.30am following a re-ignition in the wrecked cottage.

The latest blaze comes less than a month after another dramatic fire in Byron’s CBD destroyed Freedom Machine Byron Bay, an e-bike business in Byron Street.

That fire was later linked to a lithium-ion battery explosion, with the business owner warning cheap imported e-bike batteries could become “a ticking time bomb”.

Authorities say it is too early to determine whether last night’s fire is suspicious.