Concern: The house this morning after the fire. Picture: John Veage
MIRANDA police said they hold grave concerns for a woman who they believe was inside a Cronulla house when it was gutted by fire yesterday.
Forensic specialists will continue to examine the scene on Redgum Place well into the night with the help of floodlights.
The house was well alight when firefighters and police arrived about 5.30pm on Thursday.
Paramedics took one man to hospital but a woman who lived in the house has not been accounted for.
Miranda police Inspector Mick Merrett said police are ‘‘looking for evidence to confirm whether she was there or not’’.
‘‘We believe it is likely [the woman] was inside the premises and she is still unaccounted for,’’ Inspector Merrett said.
He said the site was deemed unsafe for most of the morning with winds of up to 100km/h stopping police and firefighters from safely examining the scene.
An excavator started demolishing a number of brick walls about 1pm.
‘‘Because of the fire damage there was a very unstable roof and brick walls, it was just too unsafe.’’
He said police, forensic specialists and firefighters were doing a fantastic job working together as they battled strong winds, rain and temperatures.