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Maranui cafe was damaged by an early-morning fire lit by teenagers almost a year to the day since it was gutted in a blaze.

The Fire Brigade was called to Wellington's Lyall Bay beach about 12.30am on Saturday after residents reported seeing a fire. Fire trucks from Kilbirnie and Newtown attended.

Maranui co-owner Bronwyn Kelly said though the beachside cafe suffered only minor damage, it could have been a disaster.

"It has blistered paint and taken paint off the building. It was lucky it didn't become a major issue. It looks like it was just some bored, rebellious teenagers having fun. There was no ill intent, it was just stupidity."

It was a rubbish fire, not arson.

Ms Kelly said although it would not be a major job to repair the damage, it was frustrating. The paint job on the new refurbishment had just been completed.

She said those responsible for the fire were known to club members and were remorseful for their actions. "They came down, tidied it up and have apologised, which is a very positive outcome. But it is still very gutting."

Ms Kelly said the cafe would not involve the police but might seek costs. "It is an old heritage building and, regardless of how much we alarm it and make it fire safe on the inside, if the exterior catches fire it is not much fun."

The cafe would look at installing security lighting and perhaps a camera.

Wellington principal rural fire officer Jock Darragh said there was a permanent fire ban across all city beaches except for Princess Bay and Houghton Bay, where permit fires are allowed. Offenders could be fined up to $1000.

Maranui Cafe – located in the Maranui Surf Lifesaving Club established in 1911 – reopened in June after the building was gutted by a fire originating from an electrical fault on August 1, 2009.

Although much of the exterior was saved, the extensive fire and smoke damage destroyed the interior and a lot of the club's memorabilia, including historic photos and the minutes from the very first committee meeting in 1911.

The community rallied behind the cafe, which opened in 2005, and through a $350,000 grant from Wellington City Council and the work of volunteers, the building was repaired.

Sweet as Kiwi