Police investigating Heathcote fire

Bendigo Crime Investigation Unit said the fire was “undetermined” and urged anyone who noticed any suspicious activity on Wright Street to contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

UPDATE: 11AM Police believe a house destroyed by fire in Heathcote last night had been vacant for four weeks prior to the blaze.

Heathcote Police Sergeant John Olver said a police arson chemist would determine the cause of the fire.   

Police are currently guarding the property at Wright Street. 

Neighbour Genevieve Gray’s head was seconds away from hitting the pillow on Monday evening, when she heard a loud bang on her front door.

“A man was shouting, ‘you need to get out, there’s a fire,’” she said.

“I’m lucky I’m still here.”

With a southerly wind pushing the flames from next door perilously close to her weatherboard home, Ms Gray was urged to leave by her daughter. 

“I was worried about my house, I have a cat indoors,” she said.

Trees were still enveloped in flames as Ms Gray was escorted from her home of 23 years.

“If it wasn’t for my daughter I would have stayed,” she said.

A young couple had rented the now-levelled property, but they had moved out months ago, according to Ms Gray, who believed squatters may have been using the house. 

EARLIER

Police are investigating a house fire that destroyed a property in Heathcote on Monday evening.

CFA Fire Services controller Glenn Thompson said no one was inside the Wright Street property during the blaze. 

Five CFA units attended the incident at 7.26pm and contained the fire to its original structure.

“A couple of other structures were under threat but the house was completely destroyed,” Mr Thompson said. 

The fire was under control within half an hour, but Mr Thompson was unsure of its cause.

Bendigo police attended and said it was investigating.

More to come.