Fire destroys Woy Woy Bay home

Investigations are continuing into the cause of a fire that destroyed the home of a Woy Woy Bay family on July 26.

Gosford Police Inspector Nigel Webber said it would not be known when a cause would be determined by investigators.

He said arson had not been ruled out as a possible cause for the fire which caused "extensive damage" to the Taylor St home.

"Police were called at around 2.50am on July 26, after neighbours reported a fire at the front of the home," Inspector Webber said.

"Neighbours attempted to extinguish the blaze with a garden hose but the fire was too large to contain.

"Fire crew from the NSW Fire Brigade and NSW Rural Fire Service arrived a short time later to control the house fire.

"Luckily no persons were inside the home at the time of the fire."

According to Inspector Webber, the fire is believed to have started at a front timber decking near a dumpster at the front of the house.

Inspector Webber said police evacuated neighbouring homes to ensure the safety of residents while fire fighters spent the next two hours extinguishing the blaze of the two-storey house.

It is believed fire crews from Umina, Kariong, Terrigal and Gosford attended the scene.

The family of five were also believed to be away at the time of the fire while renovations were carried out on the four-bedroom home.

Clare Graham, 7 Aug 2009 Interviewee: Inspector Nigel Webber, Gosford Police