Firefighters issue safety warning after man dies in Wollongong house fire
Forensic examiners and an accelerant-detection dog have been at the scene of the blaze. (ABC Illawarra: Penny Burfitt)
In short:
Fire and Rescue NSW says a fatal house fire at Windang last night is not being treated as suspicious after an investigation.
The body of a man in his 60s believed to be the occupant was found inside the bedroom where the fire started.
Authorities say a smoke alarm on the property does not appear to have activated during the fire.
Fire and Rescue NSW has ruled out foul play as the cause of a fatal house fire at Lake Illawarra, south of Wollongong.
Emergency services were called to Murrie Street, Windang shortly before midnight on Tuesday and found the home well alight.
The body of a man in his 60s, believed to be the occupant, was later found inside.
NSW Police said the man was yet to be formally identified.
Authorities say a man in his 60s died in the fire. (ABC Illawarra: Penny Burfitt)
Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said firefighters were faced with "pretty intense, hot smoke conditions" when they forced entry into the home.
"There was information that someone lived there [but was] unaccounted-for," he said.
"They did locate the room that was on fire, they have knocked that down, and they also unfortunately found an occupant who couldn't be revived."
Forensic teams have combed through the property. (ABC Illawarra: Penny Burfitt)
NSW Police and the Fire Investigation Unit established a crime scene at the home on Wednesday morning.
Forensic experts and an accelerant-detection dog were at the scene.
Superintendent Dewberry and NSW Police said the fire was not being treated as deliberate or suspicious following the investigation.
Fire and Rescue officers say the fire is not being treated as suspicious. (ABC Illawarra: Penny Burfitt)
Lake Illawarra Police Superintendent Craig Ireland said police had spoken to neighbours, who raised the alarm overnight.
"They've [police] canvassed the area and collected CCTV footage," he said.
Smoke alarm fails
Describing the fire as "tragic", Superintendent Dewberry said it appeared a smoke alarm fitted at the property had not sounded.
Neighbours spotted flames coming from a bedroom. (ABC Illawarra: Penny Burfitt)
"A reason could be that the fire ignited in a bedroom and the gentleman had his door shut, which contained the fire," he said.
Superintendent Dewberry urged community members to contact their local fire station to book a property inspection to ensure alarms were properly situated and working.
"We would much rather do that than do what we did last night, which is attend a fire in a home where someone has perished,"he said.
Neighbours raised the alarm
Neighbour Kaye Norris said she was alerted to the fire across the road when her dog started barking.
She said several neighbours had tried to intervene.
Kaye Norris says emergency crews arrived quickly. (ABC Illawarra: Penny Burfitt)
"One neighbour went across with the hose trying to stop it, but you couldn't enter the house as it was well alight by then — then there was a bit of an explosion," Ms Norris said.
"It was around midnight but everyone came out to see if they could do anything.
"The fire engines were here pretty quick, but it seems there was someone inside, so it's been pretty sad."