BY IAN CROUCH

Fire crews have been kept busy across the Hunter overnight.

An investigation is under way into the cause of a fire which severely damaged a home at Cessnock overnight.

Fire crews from Cessnock and Bellbird and the RFS were called to a single storey brick and tile home in Alkira Aveune just after 1.30 this morning.

No-one was home at the time and firefighters took about 2 hours to extinguish and mop up the fire.

Meanwhile, crews have worked through the night to contain a large grass fire at Tenambit.

The fire broke out in swampland near the Maitland Pistol club off Metford Road just after 2 yesterday afternoon.

More than 50 firefighters from Fire & Rescue NSW and the RFS battled the flames, which burnt out around 6 hectares.

No properties were under threat with the blaze now listed as being under control.