Sydney house fire 'suspicious': police

Police are treating as suspicious a fire that has gutted a house in Sydney's southwest.

Officers were called to the residence on Punchbowl Road, Punchbowl, following reports of a blaze about 10pm Monday.

Firefighters later extinguished the fire which gutted the structure.

Police were told the house was unoccupied and due to be demolished.

Officers from Bankstown have set up a crime scene and are treating the blaze as suspicious after seizing a jerry can from the property.