While the owners of the home were at work at the time the fire broke out, neighbours made numerous calls to emergency services after noticing smoke coming from the single-storey brick house. 

Onlookers flagged down a passing police car as fire crews arrived on scene about 4pm.

Two trucks were initially deployed to extinguish the blaze, but a third was called on arrival as crews were greeted with flames up to four metres coming from the front of the house and the roof. The house was not secured upon arrival and two searches determined no one was inside at the time, Fire and Rescue Turvey Park station officer Chad Kennis said. Investigations revealed signs of forced entry.

The front bedroom was totally destroyed, while 50 per cent of the house received smoke and heat damage.