POLICE INVESTIGATE SUSPICIOUS UNIT FIRE AT THE HILL

Forensic crews will spend the day combing the scene of a suspicious unit fire in Newcastle last night that caused the evacuation of several residents.

Emergency crews haven’t determined the cause after they were called to an apartment block on Newcomen street at The Hill, around 8.30.

Of the nine residents evacuated, one was taken to John Hunter Hospital with a laceration to her hand and smoke inhalation.

One unit was destroyed while several others sustained fire and smoke damage.

The occupant of the unit, a 30 year old woman was arrested on unrelated matters.

She’s since been charged with two counts of breaking an AVO and breach of bail.