The building, which is being demolished this week, burnt down three weeks ago but police are no closer to discovering how the fire began.

Manning Great Lakes Area Command detective John Tynan said there are no suspects and the cause is yet to be determined.

"It was too dangerous for us [police] or fire crews to enter at the time."

Police have established that the fire began in the south-east corner of the building in a room adjacent to where an alleged caretaker/resident was sleeping. The man awoke to shouting from people on the street and was able to escape the blaze which began around 7am.

The double storey block of flats, that contained nine units, was deemed unsalvageable and ordered for demolition after testing positive for asbestos.

Great Lakes Council's regulatory control coordinator Greg Pevitt said a Sydney sub contractor specialising in hazardous demolitions will coordinate removal of the building.

He anticipated 200 tonnes of contaminated waste would be removed from the site and taken to the Tuncurry landfill where it will be disposed of in pre-prepared cells.

Following the clean up, work will begin on the adjacent Lion's mini golf site which was contaminated by asbestos particles that melted into its synthetic grass and trampolines under intense heat.

The site's seven trampolines will be removed plus 100mm of soil. Crews will then remove a home that adjoined the unit block of flats, a voluntary decision made by the owner of the building, former shire president Bruce Parsons.

"This is the largest volume of asbestos waste that we've ever had to deal with in Forster and Tuncurry.

"The operation has gone off without a hitch. We have very competent contractors working with us," Mr Pevitt said.

He said the council is very appreciative of the owner and his compliance.

Mr Pevitt said the contractors have indicated the operation will be completed by 5pm on Friday.