Police recovered a body, believed to be that of Keith Watkins, from the charred ruins of his Coopers Lane dwelling in Coolamon early yesterday morning.

Mr Watkins was the sole occupant of the home.

Houses lining the quiet road, located about 43km north of Wagga, were rocked shortly before 1am when multiple fire trucks and emergency crews responded to reports the house was on fire.

Fire and Rescue NSW and Rural Fire Service crews attempted to extinguish the blaze on the large rural residential lot, with neighbouring homes some several hundred metres away from the fire, but the building was quickly destroyed.

Investigators then had difficulties accessing the remains of the fire as it was deemed too dangerous to enter.

Officers canvassed the area and sought neighbours’ assistance to determine if the man – unaccounted for and feared dead - was home at the time the fire broke out.

Wagga duty officer Inspector Peter McLay said police later recovered human remains in the debris about 10.30am.

Forensic specialists arrived from Sydney to assist local police with the investigation.

Investigators are yet to formally identify the body and a report is being prepare for the Coroner. 

It’s expected a post-mortem examination will determine if the man discovered dead was Mr Watkins and also determine a cause of death in the coming days.

The cause of the fire is unknown, but it is not being treated as suspicious.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call  crime stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the crime stoppers online reporting page at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/

12:30pm: A post mortem examination will be conducted to determine if the body located in the ruins is that of the 68-year-old man who lived alone in the home.

The examination will also endeavour to determine a cause of death.

Police have advised the man’s family.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

There is no evidence the fire was suspicious.

10:50am: Wagga duty officer Inspector Peter McLay has confirmed police have recovered the body of a 68-year-old man in the debris.

He is yet to be formally identified.

Forensic specialists are expected to arrive from Sydney later today.

12:45am: Emergency services were alerted to a house on fire in Coopers Lane, Coolamon, about 43km north of Wagga.

Fire fighters from Fire & Rescue NSW and the Rural Fire Service, attended the scene and found the premises well alight. The fire was extinguished but not before the building was destroyed.

The only person who lived in the home, a 68-year-old man, has not been found. A canvass of the man’s neighbours and family have been unable to determine if he was home at the time the fire broke out.

Police have advised the man’s family.

The building is still too dangerous to enter; however, investigators will search the scene once it is deemed safe later today. The cause of the fire is unknown.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page:https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence.