UPDATE:
February 19
Police are investigating a suspicious fire which burnt a public house property in Lavington on Thursday night.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident, on the corner of Sutherland Street and Union Road, about 6.40pm on Thursday.
Crews in five fire trucks were dispatched to the scene with police.
It's estimated about 80 per cent of the home was damaged by smoke, flames and heat.
A crime scene was set up and police on Friday confirmed the blaze was suspicious.
No one was home at the time, and the property was believed to be vacant.
"Officers from Murray River Police District established a crime scene, which will be examined by forensic police," a spokesman said.
"Police are treating the fire as suspicious and are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and noticed suspicious activity to come forward."
The public housing property is owned by Homes Out West.
Nearby residents said there were frequent issues at the house with people regularly coming and going.
Firefighter Brad Giersch said neighbours had tried to extinguish the fire with garden hoses before crews arrived.
"There was lots of smoke issuing from the property," he said.
"The neighbours did a great job.
"One grabbed a garden hose and others tried to get in to see that there was nobody inside."
Firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading into the roof.
The middle of the brick home sustained the most damage.
"The cause of the fire is under investigation," Mr Giersch said.
Firefighters needed breathing apparatus to access the house.
Traffic was forced to slow past the home on Union Road, while Sutherland Street was blocked.
Anyone with information can call (02) 6023 9299 or 1800 333 000.
Meanwhile Rural Fire Service staff are encouraging land owners to apply for burn permits following heavy rainfall, which has fuelled grass growth.
The permits, which are available online, are required for the rest of the bushfire danger period which ends on March 31.
PREVIOUSLY
February 18
Emergency services are on the scene of a serious house fire in Lavington.
Police, firefighters and paramedics were alerted to the incident, on the corner of Sutherland Street and Union Road, about 6.40pm on Thursday.
Crews in four fire trucks remain on the scene.
A section of Sutherland Street is blocked off as services access the home, which is owned by Homes Out West.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Traffic is also being slowed past the home on Union Road.
Firefighters in breathing apparatus accessed the home.
The fire appeared to have spread to the roof of the property, with damage also visible towards the rear.
A nearby resident said there were frequent issues at the property.
