Dangerous: The house is not yet safe enough for authorities to enter. Pictures: John Veage
Emergency workers at the scene near the house.
Police investigators will search a house gutted by fire at Cronulla for an occupant believed missing and clues to what started the blaze.
Fire and Rescue NSW crews evacuated houses in Redgum Place, Cronulla after a house caught fire at 5.30pm yesterday.
It was well alight when authorities arrived.
Paramedics took one man to hospital but authorities are not sure whether anyone else was inside.
A NSW Fire and Rescue spokesman said he could not say whether anyone died in the blaze.
‘‘The building is still unstable,’’ he said.
‘‘There are reports that somebody is unaccounted for. We don’t know if they are in there or not.’’
A police spokeswoman said they could not examine the house further until it was declared safe to enter.
Be extra careful about fire safety during winter, warns Commissioner.
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins warned residents today about complacency in home fire safety following a series of house fires across Sydney during the current cold weather.
“Winter is the deadliest time of year for house fires and, tragically, we have seen that this week with fatal house fires at Goulburn, Blaxland and potentially at Cronulla where one person is still missing,” Commissioner Mullins said.
“Although investigators are yet to determine the cause of these fires, these deaths serve as a grim reminder for people to take action now to reduce their chances of becoming fire victims.
“More than 60 per cent of home fire deaths occur during the cooler months of May to September. We have seen more than 1200 home fires over that period so far this year, which have resulted in more than 160 injuries and 5 preventable fire deaths (this does not include last night’s tragedies).
“The leading causes of fatal home fires are heaters and electrical equipment/wiring (20 per cent), smoking materials (20 per cent) and matches or lighters (5 per cent).''
Commissioner Mullins urged every household to have a fire safety plan.