Man escapes house fire in northern NSW A MAN has escaped a blaze at his home in NSW's Northern Tablelands after he was woken by an explosion to find his lounge room well alight. Police say the fire at Wollun happened at about 10pm (AEDT) on Sunday. The man was helped by a neighbour and a passing motorist until firefighters arrived. The fire was eventually extinguished but caused substantial damage to the house. Police are not treating the fire as suspicious.