A man accused of murdering his wife by setting her on fire told witnesses shortly after the incident that he had simply asked her to help more with the house, a Sydney court has heard.

Key points: Kulwinder Singh's defence is that Parwinder Kaur set herself alight and he is not responsible for her death

Kulwinder Singh's defence is that Parwinder Kaur set herself alight and he is not responsible for her death The Crown's case is he either set his wife on fire, or caused her to be so afraid she did so herself

The Crown's case is he either set his wife on fire, or caused her to be so afraid she did so herself The only fingerprints found on a petrol tin and lighter were those of Ms Kaur, the court heard

Kulwinder Singh, 41, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Parwinder Kaur in December 2013 at their home in Rouse Hill.

A neighbour of the couple, Tracey Valle, today told the NSW Supreme Court trial she looked out her window one afternoon after hearing a "blood-curdling" scream.

She saw Ms Kaur covered in "intense, ferocious" flames from the neck down, the court heard.

Ms Valle took part in a filmed walk-through at the scene with police soon after the incident, when she recalled Mr Singh's immediate reaction.

"He was saying 'My life is ruined, my life is ruined'," she told police in the video.

"He said 'I'm a good man, I just told her she needed to help out with the house more otherwise we'll lose the house'."

Parwinder Kaur died after being set on fire near her Rouse Hill home in 2013. ( Supplied )

The court heard Ms Valle and other neighbours frantically tried to grab a hose to extinguish the flames.

Ms Valle fought back tears as she recalled a "whoosh" noise from the flames and described the fire as huge.

"I saw her face. It was clear as day," she said.

Ms Kaur died in hospital the next day.

Earlier, the court was shown dozens of crime scene photographs, including a tin of petrol and a cigarette lighter found in the laundry.

The jury has previously heard the only fingerprints found on the tin and lighter belonged to Ms Kaur.

Police also photographed a knife and ring nearby in the laundry.

The court has heard the incident took place in the context of an abusive, controlling relationship and Ms Kaur had made plans to leave the marriage.

But Ms Valle said she never heard any arguments between the pair.

The Crown claims Mr Singh either set Ms Kaur on fire or caused her to be so fearful she did it to herself.

Mr Singh's defence is that his wife set herself alight and he is not responsible for the death.

The trial continues.