Police investigate motorhome fire as man remains in critical condition
Emergency services were called to Bulkara Street just before 6am to reports a vehicle was well alight. (Supplied)
In short:
Police are investigating a suspicious motor home fire in Wallsend that left a man critically injured.
The 69-year-old was rescued from the vehicle and treated for serious burns to his arms and legs.
What's next?
Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers as their investigation continues.
Police are investigating a suspicious motor home fire in Newcastle that left a man in a critical condition in hospital.
Emergency services were called to Bulkara Street at Wallsend shortly before 6am today following reports of a burning vehicle.
Police said a 69-year-old man was rescued from the blaze by a member of the public before officers arrived.
NSW Ambulance said he was treated for serious burns to his arms and legs before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
He has since been transferred to the Royal North Shore Hospital.
In a statement, Fire and Rescue NSW said there had been reports of gas bottles involved in the fire.
"We are treating the matter as suspicious," Acting Superintendent Steven Benson said.
"I don't believe it's random … at this stage we do believe it was targeted."
Fire and Rescue NSW said there are reports of gas bottles involved in the fire. (ABC Newcastle: Ben Clifford)
Parked in the street
Resident Tom Eschebach said he was home when the fire broke out.
"I was lying in bed, and I heard a few odd noises … a minute later I heard a very loud bang which made me get out of bed," he said.
"I had a look out there and saw the motor home fully engulfed by fire."
Mr Eschebach said it had been parked in the street for more than 12 months and he believed the occupant was "doing it tough".
A 69-year-old man was rescued from the motorhome by a member of the public. (ABC Newcastle: Ben Clifford)
"It's been sitting in that location for a bit over a year. It used to be around the corner," he said.
Mr Eschebach said complaints had been made to the council about the motor home.
"I know he's had several tickets and even had a green sticker on the window to say, 'You've got to move it, you're not a resident,'" he said.
"I hope it was an accident … because he was a very quiet old gentleman."
Acting Superintendent Benson said that, as part of their inquiries, officers were looking into how long the motor home had been parked in the street and whether neighbours had complained about the vehicle.
Police have established a crime scene to determine the cause of the fire and are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
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