A critical incident investigation is underway following a house fire in Lake Macquarie last night.
About 6.30pm (Friday 5 November 2021), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District responded to reports of a house fire on Park Avenue, Argenton.
On arrival, police attempted to speak to a male occupant in the home. The man confronted police with a knife and retreated into the house, which was alight.
Police assisted the man from the home a short time later and commenced CPR, before NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived and assisted the man at the scene.
He has been taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
NSW Fire & Rescue officers extinguished the blaze a short time later.
A crime scene has been established and will be examined by forensic officers.
A critical incident team has been formed and has established Strike Force Janet to investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.
That investigation will be subject to an independent review.
No further details are available at this time.