Common household item may have started fire that destroyed young couple’s home

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A young couple have lost their home in a fire, which investigators believe may have been started by a common household item. 

Neighbours told 9News they heard yelling and ran outside to see flames engulf the home on Brennan Way at Edmonson Park, in Sydney's south-west, about 6.30pm yesterday.

"We heard the first scream from the guy and we recognised 'okay that's not normal'," neighbour Dhanush Manjunath said.

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"When I came out they were here crying, crying, crying," another neighbour, Manju Nathmuniratnam said.

The blaze took hold in just minutes, engulfing the top floor before spreading downstairs.

Flames erupted from the windows, sending ashes flying and smoke billowing across the neighbourhood.

"When I came outside it is like a bomb blasting," Nathmuniratnam said.

"The glass it shattered."

The entire street came to help before they were forced back inside because of the thick smoke.

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"It's very sad and devastating for everybody, including neighbours," another local Bindu Baburaj said.

The young couple, Nitesh and Pari Harakh, were inside when it started and managed to escape just in time.

One was treated for smoke inhalation and the other for minor burns.

The pair told 9News they're still in shock and are tonight without a home.

Investigators said the fire is believed to have started in a bedroom and may have been caused by a candle.

The fire is being treated as not suspicious.