Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have extinguished a fire that destroyed a house overnight at Kearsley near Cessnock.

Crews arrived at the Allendale Street home just after three this morning and found it ablaze.

Flames had taken hold in the roof. Firefighters quickly got it under control, protecting other property.

Initial reports suggested people were still inside the burning house but firefighters confirmed it was unoccupied.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

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