A man has died in a house fire at Mayfield prompting police to issue a warning to residents.
8 fire trucks responded to reports of a fire in the rear apartment of a 6-unit complex in Fawcett Street just after 5.30 yesterday morning.
They arrived to find a bedroom well alight and a 65-year-old man unconscious - he was dragged from the unit but later died in the Calvary Mater hospital.
Chief Inspector, Gerard Lawson says the man had left a heater on overnight while he slept.
"It is a time now when we do start to see an increase in fires, particularly in residential areas and largely created by people using heating to keep themselves warm. So, it would be timely to advise people to think about what they're using as a heating source, making sure it is fit for purpose and if need be get a new one or get it checked out and also ensure their fire alarms are working," he said.
Meanwhile, 6 occupants have escaped unharmed after their home went up in flames at East Maitland overnight.
Firefighters arrived at the brick and tile home in Brunswyk Street just after 1.00am to find the house engulfed in flames.
No-one was injured but the house was destroyed in the fire.
Police say a failty gas stove sparked the blaze.
