Police are treating a fire which destroyed a derelict cottage at Gateshead this morning as suspicious.
Around 25 firefighters from Charlestown, Tingira Heights and Belmont were called to the single storey weatherboard house on the Pacific Highway just before 2 o'clock to find the home engulfed in flames.
There were concerns someone may have been trapped inside, but the house was unoccupied.
It's taken about 2 hours to extinguish and mop up the fire.
Police have set up a crime scene as investigations continue.
