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A house fire in Melbourne’s northern suburbs that claimed the life of a three-year-old boy and injured a man has been deemed non-suspicious by authorities.
Firefighters arrived at 2.18pm on Monday to find the house fully engulfed in flames. Using breathing apparatuses, they searched inside the single-storey brick home in Dorothy Street, Fawkner.
They removed the toddler and an adult from the building. CPR was administered, but the boy died at the scene.
An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman confirmed advanced life support and mobile intensive care ambulance paramedics attended and treated multiple patients, before transporting a man to the Northern Hospital with minor injuries.
Police remained at the scene investigating what sparked the blaze, but have since confirmed it was not suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Neighbours of the family, who did not want to be identified, said they often saw the little boy playing in the yard.
“He was very close to his father,” one man said. “Wherever his father was, he was there too.
Firefighters outside the home on Monday.Credit: Nine News
“It’s awful. There’s a lot of kids there.”
Another neighbour said he was at home when he heard people screaming on the street.
“They were yelling, ‘Fire, fire, fire’,” he said. “I saw smoke. I’m unwell, so I came inside.“
On Tuesday morning, a man spent time cleaning up the front yard of the scorched home, pulling down a pop-up gazebo and removing rubbish. He declined to comment when approached by reporters.
Police tape still surrounds the property, and a children’s swing-set, trampoline and pool sit behind the fence.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam or CCTV footage or anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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