A VACANT house has been destroyed after a fire erupted in the early hours of Friday.
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Emergency serviced were called to the Diamond Street property about 1.30am after flames were seen leaping from the home.
Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze but it destroyed the home, which was empty.
New England Superintendent Scott Tanner said police and fire crews were working to determine the cause of the blaze, which is being treated as suspicious.
No residents were home at the time but the building was completely destroyed," he said.
It is believed the home has been vacant for several years.
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"Considering the local damage earlier this year from fires, a current fire risk at extreme and a total fire ban in place for Friday, members of the community should not need to be reminded that fires can be catastrophic, and reports of deliberately-lit fires, whether grass fires, house fires or resulting bush fires are treated extremely seriously," Superintendent Tanner said.
Anyone found to be involved in the deliberate lighting of bushfires will be arrested and put before the court."
Superintendent Tanner urged locals to remain vigilant in the dry and gusty conditions.
"Residents are asked to report any suspicious activity by contacting police. If you see an unattended fire, phone triple zero immediately," he said.
