BY IAN CROUCH

Police have set up a crime scene at a house severely damaged by fire at Belmont overnight.

Newcastle Fire Command says they received several Triple Zero calls to the single level fibro and tile cottage in Ernest Street at about 6.15pm on Monday.

Crews from Belmont, Charlestown and Tingira Heights arrived to find the home fully involved in fire.

They took about an hour to douse flames.

Police say the house was abandoned and no-one was injured.

Forensic officers will commence an investigation into the cause of the fire on Tuesday morning.