About 12.24am, Denman Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Station 283 received a call about a possible yard blaze in Paxton Street.

However, upon arrival, the first responding crew of four found a heavily-smoked house, which emanated from the roof.

For the next two hours, and helped by firefighters from Aberdeen, Muswellbrook, Murrurundi and the local FRNSW and NSWRFS brigades, they set about extinguishing the flames.

Despite their best efforts, and saving a shed on the property, 95 per cent of the home was damaged.

The incident is now in the hands of the newly-named Hunter Valley Police District.

Denman FRNSW Captain Gavin Bray praised the local crews.

“They did a great job,” he said.

“Even though they got straight to work, the fire was well-advanced.

“Luckily, there was no-one in the house [at the time].

“After requesting back-up, and notifying nearby NSW Rural Fire Service (NSWRFS) teams, we received assistance from the Aberdeen FRNSW crew.

“We then adopted a defensive approach to the fire, with an emphasis on protecting the neighbouring properties.

“Energy Australia also attended the scene, as we had to turn off the power [to the home].”

Captain Bray said there were a number of ways people could “make it easier for crews” in the future.

“We say ‘help us, help you’ and ‘get out, stay out’,” he told the Chronicle.

“We like turning up [to a fire], knowing everyone’s vacated the premises.

“So, make sure you’re out of the building and have an evacuation plan at your disposal.

“As well, always report suspicious behaviour to police, instead of putting it on Facebook.”

Meanwhile, Captain Bray admitted 2017 was a huge year for the crew at 283.

“In between attending 123 incidents, six members represented Australia at the Australasian Road Rescue competition in New Zealand, we all trained and were accredited for CFR (working under ASNSW),” he said.

“Also, three of the crew were passed out as general land rescue operators and the station had a makeover, including a new training prop. 

“Our most common incidents were medical/trauma calls, followed by automated fire alarms then rescue incidents and other fire-related calls including several strike team efforts.

“We can’t thank everyone enough for their encouragement.

“But, we must express our gratitude to NSW Ambulance for its ongoing training and support.”

FOOTNOTE: Unfortunately, the Denman crews were called to another fire – this time in Martindale Street – on Sunday night.

Residents awoke on Monday to find someone had set alight a spare block.