Fire and Rescue NSW responded to reports of a fire at Davies Close, off Fourth Avenue, just before 10am.

Crews arrived to a house “totally involved in fire”, which meant firefighters had to battle the blaze from outside.

The intensity of the fire caused the rear part of the roof to collapse.

A large number of animals were inside the home at the time, but Fire and Rescue Inspector Michael Woodward said the fate of all of the animals was not known.

“I am pleased to say there was no loss of human life,” he said.

Crews from Kurri Kurri, Abermain, Cessnock, East Maitland and Kearsley battled the blaze for about an hour and a half before it was extinguished.

The fire was believed to have started in a back room, which was completely destroyed. The rest of the house was damaged by heat and smoke.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.