He said it would have most likely been a typical working-class family home.

"It is sad when humble workers' homes like this are damaged," he said.

"People think heritage is only do with the elites - these grand estates like Clarendon or Woolmers.

"But this would have been the home of decent, hard-working people, and that's important too."

The house is noted in the City of Launceston Council's Launceston Heritage Study Site Inventory, where it is described as a Victorian weatherboard house.

"[It is a ] simple weatherboard workers cottage forming part of a small group on the edge of the city area that demonstrates patterns of occupation and typical construction of the period," it says.

"It is a modest building and one of the earlier houses in the locality.

"The building has historic significance for its place in the major phase of development for Launceston."

The Canning Street home was gutted by a fire about 10.30pm on Sunday.

Two rental tenants lived in the home but were not there at the time of the blaze.

Police are investigating the alleged arson.

Anyone with information that could be relevant should call Launceston police on 131 444 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.