SUITCASES stacked to the roof of a hoarder’s home have hindered firefighters while putting out a blaze inside an inner west residence.

Four fire trucks rushed to Cromwell St, Croydon following reports of a house on fire about 3.55pm.

Upon arrival at the residence emergency services discovered it was home to a hoarder.

A spokesman for Fire and Rescue NSW said the suitcases were stacked in the front room where the fire started.

media_camera The house fire at Cromwell St, Croyden, was made all the more difficult because of suitcases stacked to the ceiling. Picture: Ross Schultz

He said they were “piled to the roof” and initially prevented firefighters from finding the seed of the blaze.

The resident is not believed to be at home because his car is not in the garage, according to the NSW Fire and Rescue spokesman.

The house is a ten metre by 15 metre residence with a separate garage, which was not damaged.

The fire has been extinguished and fire investigators have been called to determine the cause of the blaze.

Originally published as Hoarder’s possessions hinder firefighters