Detectives are investigating a possible link between a car crash on the Pacific Highway and the discovery of a body following a house fire in the Hunter Valley region.
Emergency services were called to a home on Rosemount Drive at Raymond Terrace about 12.30am on Saturday after reports of an explosion and a fire.
Police said a 76-year-old woman, who owned the house, was currently unaccounted for.
However the body, which is still in the house, has not been identified.
Residents who spoke to the ABC said they saw the other occupant of the house, a 69-year-old man, drive off after the fire started.
Police said the man was involved in a head-on crash with a truck an hour later while travelling the wrong way up the Pacific Highway near Bulahdelah, 60km north of Newcastle.
He is now under police guard in hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
Acting Superintendent Al Janson said the family of the woman had been notified about the incident.
"They're obviously fairly upset and shocked," Superintendent Janson said on Saturday morning.
"But we're still investigating, and attempting to identify the body."
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
Police are investigating whether the incidents are linked and have urged anyone with information about either to contact them.
