A LOUD crackling sound and a bright orange glow woke east Grafton St resident Shilo Novley and her partner to a blaze at a neighbouring property in the early hours of Saturday morning.

"I woke up just before 3am and originally thought it was our house on fire, the heat was so intense," Ms Novley said.

After waking their children, the young family tried to douse the empty rental property with a garden hose as they waited for firefighters to arrive.

"We started at their house but it was just too late," Ms Novley said.

Her partner then hosed down their own home as firefighters arrived on the scene.

"The firies were really good. It only took them six minutes all up. They evacuated us and all of the neighbours," Ms Novley said.

A passing police officer who spotted the fire while on evening rounds also helped the firefighting effort.

"I have the highest praise for them," Ms Novley said.

The police officer even offered to let Ms Novley nurse her seven-month-old baby in the police car, away from the commotion.

The property owner, believed to be a young Brisbane woman, occasionally frequented the residence while renovating.

"I have sent her pictures," Ms Novley said.

"She was just as concerned about everyone else's property.

"We are all just glad nobody was hurt."

A police spokeswoman said investigators believe the fire was caused by an electrical fault but it is still unclear where it started.

"The incident is not being treated as suspicious," she said.