$24 million Sydney home destroyed

A $24 million Sydney heritage home has been destroyed after it went up in flames overnight, less than a year after it was purchased.

Emergency services rushed to the waterfront home on Cliff Road at Northwood on Sydney’s lower north shore just after 11pm Saturday following more than 30 calls to triple-0.

Fire crews found the house completely engulfed in the blaze, with flames about 20 metres high on the property.

Up to 50 firefighters and 12 trucks responded to the blaze as there were major concerns it would spread to adjoining properties.

However, firefighters were able to keep it contained to the 4,847 sqm property and completely extinguish the flames within two hours.

NSW Fire and Rescue investigators and police forensic teams say it is too early to indicate what caused the fire but are investigating.

No one had been living in the property at the time and nobody was injured.

Online listings of the home says the property “boasts one of the North Shore’s longest water frontages in a secluded position”.

The manor-style home boasts spectacular views of the Lane Cove River, Sydney’s CBD and Anzac bridge, a tennis court, six bedrooms, a boathouse, sandstone cellar and an orchard.

The now destroyed home was originally built in 1915 and is one of the oldest properties in Northwood.

It was bought by one of the biggest landowners in the area in November last year for $24 million – the first time it was put on the market in 60 years.

The home was advertised as an “unusual and much-loved generational home” and a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity.

Investigations are continuing.