A museum home to a collection of items from the early life of Kurt Cobain has been destroyed by fire.

The Aberdeen Museum of History, which is located in Aberdeen, Washington, was empty at the time of the fire, which took more than 10 hours and 77 firefighters to extinguish. The blaze, said the fire department, was most likely started by a heating or electrical malfunction.

Aberdeen was the former home of Cobain, who died from suicide in 1994 aged 27. The museum had a special exhibit dedicated to the Nirvana frontman, which included various artefacts, including the sofa he would sleep on, a collection of photographs and artworks.

According to local reports fire destroyed most of the museum’s main and second floors, but thousands of documents and artefacts could still be rescued from the museum's basement.

"It’s unclear if all of the museum’s Cobain-related items have been completely destroyed,” said Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic via Twitter. “This is terrible. Hope people are safe.”

The historic armoury which housed the museum was built in 1922 and takes up a city block. The attraction also included a number of exhibits on the city's history, particularly its fishing and timber industries.

In addition to the museum, the offices for the Coastal Community Action Programme, and the Aberdeen Senior Center were also damaged in the fire.

#BREAKING Heather Luther sent us this video of fire at the Aberdeen Museum housed in the historic armory. Among the treasures inside is a Kurt Cobain exhibit. @SuzannePhan is heading there for #KOMONews pic.twitter.com/cbxvdxiIyA

— Keith Eldridge (@KeithKOMO4) June 9, 2018