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A WEATHERBOARD home in Mckenzie Hill, Castlemaine, burned to the ground yesterday as 16 fire trucks worked to battle the blaze.

Four teenagers and an adult were inside the home but were able to escape with only minor smoke inhalation injuries.

The fire is believed to have started after a log rolled from the wood fire on to the carpet.

Castlemaine police Sergeant Nicole Goodison said a member of the family tried to put the log back into the heater, but the room was already on fire.

CFA crews arrived about 2.50pm to find the two-storey home completely engulfed by flames.

The house, near the Pyrenees Highway, was razed to the ground as the family looked on.

A CFA spokesman said there were no serious injuries.

The fire took more than an hour to put out and was declared under control about 4pm.

Other firefighters stayed at the farming property until late last night monitoring the flames.

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And on Saturday night a Bendigo house caught fire when an unattended saucepan on a stove ignited, prompting a CFA warning for people to check all gas and electrical devices. The fire tore through the rangehood and into the roof of the house, in Bren Street, Kennington, about 10.20pm.

The house was empty at the time and CFA firefighters arrived to find the kitchen alight.

Senior station officer Dale Stemmer said the fire damage was confined to kitchen area, with smoke damage throughout the rented property.

Three CFA trucks took 10 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

Bendigo police, Powercor and a gas company also attended the scene to assess the damage.

Mr Stemmer said the incident highlighted the need to turn off all gas, heating and electrical devices.

It comes as the CFA figures show that 37 per cent of residential fires last winter began in the kitchen.

CFA state duty officer Gary Weir said as temperatures dropped, the potential for a fire in the home increased by up to 20 per cent.

“Sadly, most of these incidents could actually be avoided,” he said.

“It is so important for every Victorian to take action to prevent fires starting in their home, and to know what to do if a fire does start.”

Mr Weir said the kitchen was a danger area and it was advisable to avoid leaving cooking unattended and keep electrical appliances in good working order.