Two people escape boat fire on NSW coast

A man and woman have escaped a fire that destroyed three boats at a Lake Macquarie marina in NSW's Hunter region.

The pair were sleeping on a boat moored at Toronto when a loud noise woke them in the early hours of Sunday.

They swam to shore once they realised a nearby cruiser was well-alight.

Three boats, with an estimated value of $200,000, were destroyed and several other boats were damaged, police say.

A crime scene has been established and the cause of the fire remains unknown.