Update: A body has been located following a search of a home destroyed by a fire on the Northern Beaches on Friday.
About 1am on Friday (19 September 2025), emergency services were called to a house on Hilltop Road, Avalon Beach, following reports of a fire.
Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended alongside Fire and Rescue NSW crews who worked to extinguish the blaze.
After extinguishing the fire, emergency services immediately worked to locate the occupant of the home – a 71-year-old woman.
Following an extensive search of the home, emergency services located human remains yesterday (Saturday 20 September 2025).
The remains are yet to be formally identified; however, they are believed to be those of the missing woman.
Police have established a crime scene and emergency services have continued their search of the home today (Sunday 21 September 2025).
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Previously: A woman is reported unaccounted for following a house fire near Avalon Beach early this morning.
Northern Beaches Police said more than 20 firefighters from NSW Fire and Rescue attended the scene on Hilltop Road at around 1am.
The fire reportedly took a few hours to get under control with emergency services still on scene as the blaze has been reduced to a smoulder. Manly Observer understands there is a significant amount of miscellaneous property stored in and around the premises.
There are serious concerns the resident may still be inside.
NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry told Manly Observer however it is not confirmed that the missing woman is inside the house.
Police are currently on the search outside the property, however, fire crews are unable to access the inside, located on a steep terrain, due to multiple roof and floor collapses within the two storey property.
The operation is still continuing and a ladder truck is being used to extinguish the remainder of the smoulder. No injuries have been reported and police say inquiries are continuing.
They will enter the home once emergency services deem the structure safe.
