Man sustains burns in Norlane house fire

Authorities are probing the cause of separate blazes that engulfed two Norlane properties on Tuesday, amid a spate of local houses fires.

Authorities are probing the cause of separate blazes that engulfed two Norlane properties on Tuesday, amid a spate of local house fires.

Fire Rescue Victoria Commander David Mounier is urging for people to remain vigilant following four house fires in just three days.

A man in his 30s was hospitalised in the early hours of Tuesday morning after the front of his Donnelly Ave house caught fire just after midnight.

Fire crews extinguished the blaze in about 20 minutes and worked to make the scene safe.

Just hours later, around 11am, fire crews were called to Bellbird Ave property that was fully alight.

Authorities issued a smoke warning for the area and firefighters searched the home for occupants.

Fortunately no one was home, but the property was seriously damaged.

Fire damage at a Donnelly Ave house in Norlane. Picture: Alison Wynd

Meanwhile, a woman in her 40s on Tuesday night remained hospital after she sustained critical burns when her Ocean Grove cabin was engulfed by flames on Sunday night.

Another person was treated for smoke inhalation when a fire broke out at their Torquay Rd property around 10.25am on Monday.

The fire caused minor damage and was quickly extinguished by FRV.

Earlier this month, refugee Venie Irasapkiam was left with just her handbag after her house was destroyed by fire.

Ms Irasapakiam, whose husband died months earlier, was walking her young son to school when her Corio home caught fire.

The blaze prompted an outflow of community support as residents rallied to help the young family.

Mr Mounier urged residents to ensure their home heaters were regularly cleaned and that linked smoke alarms were installed.

“With several serious house fires in the community recently we are urging everyone to make sure they’re home fire safe,” Mr Mounier said.

“With winter here FRV is urging all Victorians to take some simple steps to prevent fires from occurring.”

He said homeowners should turn off all heating and extinguish open fires before leaving home or going to sleep and clothing and flammable items should be kept at least one metre away from all heat sources.

Mr Mournier said most house fires were preventable, with many fatal house fires starting in the bedroom.

“Most of the house fires we attend can be prevented, and we have seen time and time again that lives can be saved if there are working smoke alarms,” he said.

For more information download FRV’s home fire safety booklet at frv.vic.gov.au/home-fire-safety-booklet.

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Originally published as Man sustains burns in Norlane house fire