Police are investigating after a suspicious fire at a pub near Newcastle overnight.
At about 4.40am, emergency services were called to a hotel on Elder Street, Lambton, after reports that part of the building was alight.
“A neighbour extinguished the blaze prior to Fire and Rescue NSW arrival, with minimal damage sustained to the building,” NSW Police said in a statement today.
“Fire crews attended a short time later to fully extinguish the flames, while police extinguished a small grass fire a short distance away in Lambton Park.”
“Officers from Newcastle City Police District have established a crime scene, which is in the process of being forensically examined.”
Police have been told three men were seen running from the scene a short time after.
The blaze is being treated as suspicious and police are urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything in the nearby vicinity between 4.30am and 4.45am to contact Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
