Valencia, Spain - A fire destroyed a 19th-century theatre in the eastern Spanish city of Valencia overnight, police said Friday.

There had been plans to restore the privately-owned Princess Theatre, which dated from 1853 and was located in the old city centre.

The theatre designed by architect Jose Zacarias Camana was regarded as historically valuable despite having deteriorated after its closure two decades ago.

The fire started in a neighbouring building for causes that were not clear. About 70 people were preventatively evacuated. (dpa)