Roof collapses after Whittington house fire

Neighbours saw plumes of smoke billowing from a house fire in Whittington.

The roof a Whittington home has partially collapsed as firefighters battle a large blaze.

Firefighters were called to Telstar Crt about 1.30pm on Monday following reports of a fire.

A crowd of neighbours gathered to watch the situation unfold as plumes of smoke billowed from the single storey brick unit.

Resident Jack Ververs lives in the court and said he called triple-0.

“My wife yelled out that there was smoke and we raced outside,” he said.

“There was a great ball of smoke.”

House fire in Telstar Crt in Whittington. Picture: Alan Barber

Mr Ververs said the windows of the house were “popping” as the glass shattered.

“We saw flames coming out the side windows,” the 69-year-old said.

“We couldn’t believe it.

“Thank God no one was living in the house.”

Firefighters were tackling the blaze from above on a crane.

House fire in Whittington. Picture: Alan Barber

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the fire was being treated as suspicious.

“The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing,” the spokeswoman said.

“It’s believed no one was inside the house at the time with no reported injuries.”

Neighbours said no one had been living in the unit for some time.

Originally published as Roof collapses after Whittington house fire