The acting Fire and Rescue NSW commissioner is appealing to the public to take extra safety precautions amid a spate of house fires across the state - including three in the Hunter.
Fire crews from four appliances forced their way into a burning home at Ambarvale in Sydney's south-west around 10.20pm on Monday and found a 34-year-old man unconscious in the smoke.
They carried him outside where they applied CPR, but he died at the scene.
It was one of 12 major house fires across NSW since Sunday.
Among that number was a unit fire at Metford on Sunday and two house fires - one at Adamstown and the other at Lower Belford - on Tuesday.
While the cause of some of those blazes are still under investigation, acting commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell is urging the public to ensure their homes are safe from fire.
"We're getting into the colder months now and it's our busiest period for structure fires," he said.
"Please, check your smoke alarms are in working order and make sure you have an up-to-date fire plan in the event of an emergency.
"If you are unable to check your smoke alarms, which you should have installed in accordance with the law, then reach out to your local fire station and we'll attend your address and check them for you.
"Also, ensure any dryers and heaters in your home are cleaned and in working order - they're often the cause of house fires - and keep any chimneys or flues serviced and functioning.
"Don't leave wet clothes drying on heaters - they can easily catch fire which can spread and engulf your entire home.
"We don't want any more lives lost, please take precautions now to prevent any further tragedies."
