BY IAN CROUCH

A man has suffered serious burns to his legs during a suspicious house fire at Lambton this morning.

Fire crews from Lambton,Newcastle, Mayfield West and Merewether arrived at the single storey weatherboard home in Johnson Street at 1.40am to find the front of the house engulfed in flames.

Police arrived to find a 26-year-old male resident outside the home with burns to his legs.

He was treated at the scene by Ambulance paramedics before being taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

Newcastle Fire Command says the front of the house was extensively damaged by fire, while the rest of the property was affected by heat, smoke and water.

Police have set up a crime scene and are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.