A man has died and police are searching for one of his relatives after an “intense” fire collapsed the roof of a suburban home.
The body of an 80-year-old man was found after emergency services were called to the fire at Croydon, in Sydney’s inner-west, about 4am on Wednesday.
A woman who left the home about three hours before the fire is assisting police, who are searching for a 50-year-old man believed to have also been in the house earlier.
“It’s very important to us that we locate that man as soon as we can … because we believe he has information that will assist this investigation,” Superintendent Christine McDonald said.
The man was last seen in the Leichhardt area about 6.30am on Wednesday.
Investigators believe he may be using public transport and travelling in Sydney’s inner-west, Circular Quay, Watsons Bay, and surrounding areas.
The 50-year-old is known to police, who say they are concerned for his welfare.
Six trucks and almost two dozen firefighters attended the fire, entering the back of the property due to “intense” flames at the front of the single-story red-brick house.
Part of the roof collapsed as firefighters were inside, forcing them to retreat, Fire and Rescue NSW said.
The body of the 80-year-old was later found inside.
Footage taken after the blaze was extinguished shows a large portion of the roof caved in and firefighters examining other parts of the extensively damaged Irrara Street home.
The cause of the blaze is being investigated. Police believe it is suspicious.
The two men and the elderly woman are all believed to be related.
“We are speaking with family members back at the police station, and I know that they would be so devastated at what has occurred,” McDonald said.
“It really is tragic.”
The missing man is described as of Caucasian appearance, about 190 centimetres tall, of medium to large build, with short brown hair, a short beard and moustache.
He was last seen wearing a navy hoodie with a white New York Yankees text and logo on the front, blue denim jeans, a black New York Yankees logo hat, and a wristband on his right arm.
-with AAP
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