Massive mansion destroyed by ‘suspicious’ fire in affluent Melbourne suburb

A massive ‘suspicious’ fire has torn through a two-storey mansion in a major city’s swanky eastern suburbs where houses sell for in excess of $20m.

The owner of a multimillion two-storey mansion in one of Melbourne’s most prestigious suburbs says it was a “hell of a shock” to watch the home be destroyed by a “raging inferno.”

Fire Rescue Victoria was called to the large property on the corner of St Georges Rd and Ultimo CT in Toorak about 12.20am Friday after the home was engulfed in flames.

Smoke billowed from the roof and flames grew so high they were visible from neighbouring properties.

Smoke was so thick crews were forced to wear breathing apparatus, but managed to stop the fire spreading to adjoining properties.

The house was completely engulfed in flames. Picture: ABC

Firefighters warned nearby residents of smoke inhalation. Picture: Supplied

The homeowner, builder Gerry Hoggard, said he believed a person poured accelerant over the building for it to cause such a massive fire.

“I don’t know who would have done it,” he told The Australian.

“But I can tell you that by the extent of the fire, and knowing how it’s built, somebody has put accelerant all over the building.

“It’s built on a concrete slab, its got brick walls, it’s got non-combustible (material) between each floor.

“If it had been a random thing – an electrical short, or whatever – we would have got minor damage.

“I spoke to the fireys and the police … and everybody was of the same opinion. The fire was like a raging inferno.

“There is some video, early on, and there was this massive, massive of fire coming out of the front of the property and timber just doesn’t burnt like that.”

The fire was declared under control shortly after 1am. Picture: ABC

More than 30 firefighters were on the scene to control the flames, which destroyed the property.

No one was injured in the fire.

“There were no occupants home at the time of the fire as it appears the house is undergoing renovations,” an FRV statement read.

“There has also been significant structural collapse due to the intensity of the fire.”

The hsoue was completely gutted by the fire Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani

The home was undergoing renovations with the owners poised to move in by December. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani

The property is located in one of the most affluent suburbs of Melbourne, with surrounding properties listed for prices between $5m and exceeding $20m.

The St Georges Rd property was sold in October 2021 for $7m and had been undergoing renovations at the time of the blaze.

Neighbours told The Age the owners had been working on the house for 18 months and hoped to move in by December before the fire ripped the building apart.

Sunrise reported the home was estimated to be worth $20 million.

Other properties in the street have sold for more than $20m. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani

Residents nearby were warned of visible smoke spreading around the community as crews worked to control the flames.

“There is no immediate threat to the community and no action is required, but local residents should be aware of the possibility of smoke and embers in the area,” FRV wrote online.

The fire was declared under control shortly after 1am.

The fire completely destroyed the Toorak mansion. Picture: Supplied

The guts of the building was reduced to rubble. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani

“Firefighters will remain on scene to ensure the fire is fully extinguished,” the FRV statement read.

A Victoria Police spokesperson told NewsWire the exact cause of the fire was yet to be determined.

Police have declared there fire suspicious. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani

Police have since declared the fire suspicious.

“Investigations are ongoing into exact cause of the fire, which is believed to be suspicious at this stage,” they said.

“An arson chemist will attend the scene this morning.”

Anyone with information or footage of the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Massive mansion destroyed by ‘suspicious’ fire in affluent Melbourne suburb