A derelict Berkeley home has been handed over to Lake Illawarra detectives after a suspicious blaze broke out in the early hours of Friday morning.
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Southampton Street residents woke to a “loud explosion” and discovered the single-storey house alight around 12:30am, said Duty Officer Acting Inspector Peter Northey.
“It’s still under investigation, we believe at this point in time it is suspicious,” Inspector Northey said.
Fire and Rescue crews from Warrawong, Wollongong and Dapto were brought in to fight the blaze, along with a HAZMAT unit from Shellharbour.
FRNSW Illawarra duty commander Inspector Jay Bland said it appeared the fire began inside the fibro dwelling and caused extensive damage throughout.
The house was unoccupied; no-one was injured during the incident.
Inspector Bland praised the efforts of firefighters who prevented the blaze from spreading to neighbouring houses.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Lake Illawarra police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.