Southport fire brigade station officer Michael Brown told the Gold Coast Bulletin the house was completely engulfed when crews arrived.
Queensland Police said the cause of the fire is yet to be determined but they believe it may have been deliberately lit.
The Gold Coast home was engulfed in flames and a ute parked in the driveway was also well alight. Photo / News Corp
"Preliminary information indicates that a person has forced entry to the man's utility before reversing it against the right side of the building and igniting the rear of the vehicle," a spokesperson said.
"The fire then quickly spread to the nearby residence, causing significant damage to its interior and destroying the vehicle."