A two storey house was destroyed in Gerringong last night, with fire and police investigators on the scene today to establish the cause.

The owners were not at home when the fire started last night around 7pm, down a battle-axe block at the Elambra end of Greta Street. Neighbours did what they could to fight the fire and protect their own homes before the RFS arrived.

Twelve fire units attended the scene, with one of the 60 firefighters sustaining a leg injury.