A 19-year-old has been arrested over a fire at a mosque in Auckland's New Lynn

Police say a person broke into the Imam Reza Mosque on Astley Ave just before 1am yesterday and lit the fire.

They say the fire smouldered until just after 9am, when it became visible and emergency services were called.

Detective Inspector Callum McNeill says a man will appear in Waitakere District Court today on two charges of arson, and one charge of burglary.

He says Police are still working to establish a motive.