Balwyn residential care fire: Residents rescued after suspicious fire

Panicked residents were found coughing and some were rescued from balconies after a suspicious blaze at a Balwyn residential care facility on Sunday night.

Aftermath of fire incident in Mangan St, Balwyn. Picture: NCA Newswire / Nicki Connolly

Residents have been rescued after a suspicious fire caused panic at a Balwyn residential care facility on Sunday night.

Residents were found coughing and some had to be rescued from balconies after the fire broke out at the Mangan St residential care facility about 10pm Sunday.

Fire Rescue Victoria firefighters discovered a fire in a unit on the first floor of the double story assisted living facility and immediately called for additional appliances.

Fire Rescue Victoria said multiple residents of the 30-unit facility called triple-000 in a state of panic, with some heard coughing.

Some residents said they could not get out of their apartments due to the smoke.

The apartment where the fire took hold. Picture: NCA Newswire / Nicki Connolly

Seventeen fire trucks with 58 firefighters attended the fire with crews in breathing apparatus conducting an internal attack on the fire.

Firefighters went door to door on both levels of the facility to evacuate residents.

Firefighters rescued 14 residents, including seven from second floor balconies.

The apartment. Picture: NCA Newswire / Nicki Connolly

One resident was treated for smoke inhalation by Ambulance Victoria paramedics and one resident was taken to hospital with chest pains.

All 30 units were evacuated, and all occupants were fully accounted for.

Victoria Police and the Department of Human Services were on scene to help residents.

The fire was called under control at 11.32pm.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said the circumstances surrounding the cause of the blaze remained unclear, but detectives were treating the fire as suspicious.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au