Neighbours save dogs from backyard of a house fire at White Hills

CFA say the fire began in one of the back rooms, then spread to the ceiling space. It took about 45 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

No one was home at the time of the fire.

Two Bendigo units and three Golden Square units were called to the scene. Ambulance Victoria were called to monitor the health of firefighters, as Bendigo hit 45.2 degrees at 4.30pm.

Senior Station Officer Mark Nevill said firefighting was difficult in the heat, because firefighters were facing a metabolic build up of heat.

The cause of the fire will be investigated. 

It was called in at 4.26pm, and put under control at approximately 5.30.

5.04pm: TWO women have rescued a neighbour’s pet dogs and reported a house fire.

Carly Chalker and Leanne Ford were returning home from the pool when they smelled smoke.

After a closer inspection of the house, Ms Chalker started banging on the windows. 

“There was no answer, so I actually went around the back again,” she said.

“I jumped over the fence. I was knocking on the door to see if anyone was there, and no answer.”

So the women took the initiative and got two dogs safely out of the backyard.

They lifted the dogs over the fence and onto the street, all while calling triple zero.

“Getting bitten was the least of my problems, honestly – I just wanted to get them out safe,” Ms Chalker said.

“I’m glad we got them out just in time because it got a lot worse.”

Firefighters are taking extra precautions against the hot weather while on the scene as the temperature in Bendigo remains above 40 degrees.

EARLIER: FIREFIGHTERS are responding to a house fire in White Hills.

Smoke is issuing from an address at Morshead Court.

Four Country Fire Authority units are at the scene.

Map showing the location of Morshead Court, White Hills

Morshead Court is closed at the intersection with Montgomery Crescent. 

Montgomery Crescent is also blocked off by fire trucks.

More to come

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