A fire broke out at the Baker Dr residence in the early hours of Saturday morning, which police believe may have been ignited by fireworks thrown into the property. 

Emergency services were called to the house at around 2.30am when it quickly became an operation to prevent a neighbouring property from burning down. 

“We arrived on Baker Drive at approximately 2.43am, and on arrival the dwelling was fully involved in fire,” Fire and Rescue NSW retained firefighter Phil Dowling told the Argus. 

“The fire was impinging on the property next door, so we got to work with the assistance of the Crescent Head and Gladstone Rural Fire Service to make sure that all occupants were out of both houses, after which our priority was to save the neighbour’s residence.

According to Fire and Rescue NSW, the house was totally destroyed by the fire and significant damage was sustained by the property next door.

Police are now treating the incident as a case of arson and are looking into whether the fireworks triggered the blaze.  

Mid North Coast Local Area Command duty officer Inspector Peter Neville said a forensic examination of the crime scene had been conducted and police were calling for any witnesses who may have more information to come forward. 

“At this stage we believe the fireworks may have caused the house fire, and are appealing to Crescent Head locals who may have seen any activity in the area from midnight onward,” Inspector Neville said.  

People can contact Kempsey Police Station on 6561-6199, or Crimestoppers on 1800 333-000.

Fortunately no one was injured by the weekend’s fire but Mr Dowling wanted to remind residents to ensure that they had a working smoke alarm inside their home. 

“It’s important to have a working smoke alarm installed because it provides an early fire warning, along with the life-saving opportunity to escape unharmed.”