UPDATE:
St George police have charged a woman, 42, after they found a large hydroponic set-up in a house at Beverly Hills which caught fire early Wednesday morning.
She was refused bail to appear in Sutherland Court today.
Police were investigating the suspicious house fire on Austin Avenue about 2.30am.
Fire&Rescue NSW officers from Riverwood, Revesby, Hurstville, Lakemba and Mortdale were called in after following reports a property was well alight.
Firefighters said the blaze started in the roof.
The sole occupant and owner of the house, a woman, 42, was found inside with smoke inhalation and treated at the scene.
She was taken to Kogarah Police Station and charged with consuming electricity without authority, cultivating a prohibited plant and knowingly occupying a drug premises.
Police warned residents about the dangers of by-passing electricity.
Earlier story:
Fire&Rescue NSW officers and emergency services were called to Austin Avenue at about 2.30am following reports a house was well alight.
Firefighters from Riverwood, Revesby, Hurstville, Lakemba and Mortdale were called to the scene.
The fire, which started in the roof of the house which had caved in, was put out and no-one was injured.
A woman, believed to be the owner of the house, suffered smoke inhalation, after she reportedly woke to charge her mobile phone, saw the house on fire, and tried to put it out with a garden hose.
Senior firefighter Adam Ralphs from Riverwood Fire Station, which was the first crew there, said the site was under investigation.
‘‘It looked to be a hydroponic set-up,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s now a crime scene.’’
St George police are investigating and urge anyone with information to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800333000.
