An elderly woman said she was cooking dinner in her caravan when the gas bottle connected her stove caught alight.

“The gas bottle went off in my face … it burst into flames and everything started going up,” caravan occupant Emily Lyons said.

Ms Lyons called triple-0 numerous times asking for police to attend.

Police arrived first at the scene at approximately 5.30pm. The NSW Fire Brigade arrived at 5.45pm.

Police and firefighters were initially blocked from the inflamed caravan by a padlocked gate.

Dubbo Station Commander Steve Knight said the caravan and surrounding area were “fully engulfed” when the NSW Fire Brigade arrived.

“One elderly woman was evacuated. The quick action by firefighters stopped the fire from spreading to nearby bush land,” Commander Knight said.

“Our first priority was to cool surrounding LPG cylinders to prevent explosions. Once they were secured firefighters hosed the caravan and surrounding bush.”

Eight NSW Fire Brigade officers donned compressed air breathing apparatus to protect them from carcinogens released by the burning caravan while they hosed the scene for more than an hour.

By 6.30pm nothing remained of the caravan and compound except a pile of smouldering metal and rubbish.

Commander Knight said it was believed an LPG gas explosion was the cause of the fire but could not confirm until further investigations were completed.

Ms Lyons was hysterical at the scene and refused to be treated by NSW Ambulance officers. She was suspected of suffering smoke inhalation and shock.

Ms Lyons was living in a caravan surrounded by a compound filled with pens of dogs, goats, cats and ducks.

It is believed a number of her dogs ran away from the property during the fire.

Ms Lyons refused to be transferred to Dubbo Base Hospital until her animals were recovered.

The Dubbo Ranger Service was called to collect the animals on the scene.

Commander Knight reminded people ringing 000 to specifically request the fire brigade to ensure quick attendance.

“The occupant made numerous calls to 000 but requested police. The fire brigade must be called for in the case of a fire. We will attend the scene as soon as we possibly can once the call has been made,” he said.

Two NSW Fire Brigades and one Rural Fire Service tanker attended the scene along with numerous police and an ambulance.

It is believed Ms Lyons stayed in the care of community services last night.