Box Hill house on Irving Ave gutted by fire as police investigate cause

It was just after 4am when Box Hill neighbours were woken to smoke flooding their street. A vacant house erupted into flames, and firefighters don’t think it was by an accident.

The arson squad are investigating the cause blaze.

A house in centre of Box Hill was gutted by fire in the early hours of the morning in what firefighters believe were suspicious circumstances.

Firefighters rushed to 13 Irving Ave about 4.16am on Monday, March 23, after smoke coming from the single-storey house set off the fire alarms in the apartment building next door.

Neighbours phoned 000 and reported smoke and a burning smell.

The house has been gutted by fire.

Holes have been left in the roof.

Crews arrived within five minutes to find the house alight and searched to confirm no one was inside.

A total of 30 firefighters and five fire trucks were on scene, as well as police and ambulance. No one was injured.

Box Hill police detective Acting Sergeant Cam Taylor said the house was extensively damaged by the blaze.

“It pretty much burnt down,” he said.

The walls are still standing but from across the road in Box Hill Gardens burnt holes can be seen in the tiled roof.

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Act Sgt Taylor said police were investigating the cause of the fire, with the house having been vacant for some time.

“It’s one of the many houses around town that is going to get demolished,” he said.

The arson squad were on scene throughout the day.

Firefighters believe the fire started under the floor

Anyone with information is urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au.