BY IAN CROUCH
Update 1pm:
Passers by have rescued a man and his carer from a burning home at Cooranbong this morning.
Belmont Police say the 30-year-old man and his male carer were inside the building as it caught alight just after 6.30 this morning on Freemans Drive.
Fire crews from Wangi, Morriset and the Rural Fire Service attended to find the house fully engulfed as a woman, a passer-by, tried to give the pair first aid.
She suffered minor smoke inhalation as the 30-year-old man was dragged out of the home unconscious.
He was assessed by Westpac Rescue Helicopter paramedics but taken to the John Hunter Hospital via ambulance with major smoke inhalation.
He’s in a serious but stable condition.
Fire crews have now left the scene after being hampered by asbestos in the house.
Police have established a crime scene around the home and are yet to determine the cause of the fire or whether it is suspicious.
EARLIER:
Emergency services have been called to a house fire at Cooranbong.
Several fire crews were called to the home on Freemans Drive at 6.30, to find the house well alight.
Newcastle Fire Command is advising motorists of a significant amount of smoke in the area from the blaze
More to come.