Laurie Vassallo, 89, dies in Pooraka house fire

Neighbours have described how they tried to save an elderly man, who died in his home after it was engulfed by flames in Pooraka this morning. Sadly, Laurie Vassallo, 89, died in the inferno.

Neighbours have described how they tried in vain to save an elderly man, after his Pooraka house caught alight in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police and fire crews were called to the Nalpa St home about 1.30am after a neighbour reported hearing smashing glass.

Sadly, Laurie Vallasso, 89, a father who neighbours said loved fishing, was found dead after the fire was extinguished.

A teenage neighbour said she heard a loud explosion, followed by screaming and yelling.

“I heard this massive bang and like, I woke up my parents. And then we just looked through the window and then those the whole like, the whole house was in flames,” she said.

The Pooraka home on Sunday morning. Picture: Morgan Sette

Laurie Vassallo, who died in a house fire in Pooraka overnight . Picture: 7NEWS

She said neighbours came outside following the loud bang to see how they could help.

“All we could see was everyone running and trying to see if there was anyone inside and calling for help.”

She said she used to see Mr Vassallo on her way to school.

“He was a really lovely man…I would always see him in the mornings when I was going to school.”

Binh Tran, who lived next door to the man, said he came home to see police and fire crew on the street.

“I saw all the trucks here, you know the firefighters and the police here…all the road was blocked,” he said.

The blaze was reported by neighbours. Picture: Morgan Sette

Binh Tranh described neighbour Mr Vassallo as a “nice man”. Picture: Morgan Sette

Mr Tran said Mr Vassallo was originally from Malta and had lived on the street for more than a decade.

He said the man’s wife had died several years ago, and his daughter lived overseas.

Mr Tran said the man was a painter when he was younger and a keen fisherman – he would go fishing and then share his catch with neighbours.

“He always asked me how I’ve been…he was a nice man,” Mr Tran said.

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said Mr Vassallo had not been in good health the past few years.

Neighbour Kate Solway said people in the area were upset about the fire.

“It’s awfully sad and it would have an impact on the community around here,” she said.

Fire Cause Investigators have attended the scene to determine the cause of the fire.

Police said the circumstances surrounding the incident were not believed to be suspicious.

Police are preparing a report for the coroner.

Kate Solway said Mr Vassallo’s death would affect the whole community in the area. Picture: Morgan Sette

The Pooraka home on Sunday morning. Picture: Morgan Sette

Meanwhile, police are also investigating a suspicious house fire at St Agnes on Saturday night.

Police and fire crews were alerted about 10.30pm to reports of a fire at a home under construction on Kennedy St.

Fire crews were able to put out the blaze quickly but police said the flames caused extensive damage to the home.

Crime Scene Investigators attended the scene and believed the fire to be deliberately lit.

The Eastern District CIB are investigating the fire and ask anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area or has information on the fire to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.