EXPLOSIONS could be heard a block away from a raging inferno at Edgeworth overnight.
Fire crews received 11 calls to the blaze at a single-level house on Croudace Street just after midnight Thursday. Newcastle Herald understands the property was a known squatters house and many local residents said it was colloquially referred to as the 'ice house' because of the alleged antisocial activity that went on at the site.
Two pumps were sent to the scene but fire crews quickly called in for backup because the house was "fully involved" in flames.
A total of eight crews worked to get the blaze under control until 2am.
According to Sean Sylvester, who photographed the fire last night, "the sounds of loud explosions occurred rattling the windows from a block away". The noise brought many people out of their homes to find the large flames already engulfing the structure.
Simon Markatcheff also lives nearby and was in the shower when the "loud bangs" began.
"I heard knocking at the bathroom door and then my family said 'you're going to want to see this'," he told the Herald.
"The flames were coming pretty close to the house next door. People were keeping a reasonably sensible distance from it."
A spokesman for NSW Fire and Rescue said the property was "completely destroyed" by the fire. Two adjoining properties were also damaged.
While no people were found inside the property, a dog did die in the fire. The scene has now been handed over to police.
Lake Macquarie police established a crime scene and have commenced an investigation into the incident.
The fire is not being treated as suspicious, police said.
Anyone with further information about the incident should contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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