A floor of an apartment block in Queanbeyan was evacuated on Sunday afternoon after a fire swept through one of the units.
Emergency services received the call at 4.55pm at a unit block at 86 Derrima Road, a six storey, 50-unit building called 'Kowen Towers'.
Firefighters broke into the unit on the upper floor after finding smoke spilling out of it.
No one was home, but they found smoke had engulfed the bedroom and living area and an area adjacent to the kitchen bench was alight.
About 10 neighbours on the same floor were evacuated.
NSW police said they believed the fire caused about $50,000 worth of damage.
Forensic police will examine the scene to determine the cause of the fire and formulate a report for the Coroner due to the significant property damage.
Anyone with information about this incident should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/.
