Pets perish in ferocious Norlane house fire on Yooringa Ave
Witnesses have described the frightening moment a weatherboard home caught fire in Norlane, with flames roaring higher than 10 metres into the air and multiple pets killed.
Witnesses have described the “scary” moment a weatherboard home caught fire in Norlane, with flames roaring higher than 10 metres into the air and multiple pets killed.
Emergency services first responded to the fire on Yooringa Ave at 11.20am after multiple calls for help were made to triple-0.
Firefighters arrived to find flames leaping into the air above the home and a caravan fully engulfed in flames.
One woman, believed to be the sole occupant of the home, has been taken to Geelong hospital with suspected smoke inhalation.
It’s understood two pet cats and a dog were killed in the blaze.
Police had blocked off entry to Yooringa Ave from the Princes Hwy and Bingara Ave just before 12pm while firefighters attempted to get the fire under control.
More than a dozen people watched as smoke continued to billow from the property.
Next door neighbour, Sheryl Gill, said she ran outside after a “chemical smell” filled her home to see the property “up in flames”.
She attempted to grab her hose to help extinguish the blaze before firefighters had arrived.
“It got rather warm quick because I couldn’t get near the hose at the fence, it was just too hot,” she said.
“It was probably more to help myself than anything.”
Ms Gill, who has lived on Yooringa Ave for almost a decade, said the incident was “quite scary”.
“When I came out there were no fire trucks here,” she said.
She added the property appeared to be a “fire hazard”.
“There were things stacked everywhere in the front and back yards,” Ms Gill said.
It is understood a dog was pulled from the blaze about 20 minutes after it started, while multiple guinea pigs also survived.
The daughter of the homeowner, who wished to remain anonymous, said her mother had been taken to hospital and the family were waiting on an update.
She said they were unsure of the cause of the blaze, which killed two cats and the smaller of her mother’s two dogs.
“We also lost our nan recently so it’s been a really difficult time already,” she said.
The woman had been staying with her partner’s family in Norlane when the fire broke out on Wednesday morning.
Fire Rescue Victoria commander, Mark Brislane, said initial crews arrived at the scene within four minutes, however additional resources were needed to assist with water supply.
“There was fire involved at the front of the property that had extended to a caravan, and due to the wind it was obviously tricky conditions,” he said.
“There were four guinea pigs rescued and a dog, and there have been a few pets that have since been found inside deceased.”
Mr Brislane said the source of the blaze was under investigation.
“At this stage, we do not believe it was suspicious,” he said.
He added the fire appeared to have started inside the house before travelling into the front yard.
Neighbour Vicky Campbell said she could smell “burning plastic” before walking outside to see the house fully engulfed.
“I was waiting at home for my worker to come over, and then I noticed this smell and came outside and thought ‘what the hell is going on?’” she said.
Victoria Police has been contacted for comment.
Originally published as Pets perish in ferocious Norlane house fire on Yooringa Ave
