Elderly woman rescued as firefighters battle Walker Street Coburg house fire

A neighbour has been rushed to safety and treated for smoke inhalation as firefighters battle a house fire in Coburg.

Residents on a quiet street in Melbourne’s north have been evacuated after a horrifying blaze threatened their house.

Up to 10 units with 22 firefighters spent 30 minutes getting the fire under control after being called to Walker Street, Coburg about 11.40am Friday.

It’s understood the single storey brick dwelling was unoccupied at the time of the incident.

An elderly neighbour was evacuated as the fire also threatened their house and was treated for smoke inhalation.

Residents have gathered in the laneway behind the house that burnt down with one neighbour saying the house has been completely gutted by the fire.

Emergency services responded to reports of a blaze fire at an abandoned house in Walker St in Coburg on Friday.

It’s understood the house is part of a housing commission block.

Residents told the Herald Sun there is always trouble occurring in that house.

“There is a broken window or two every couple of weeks,” one resident said.

Police have cordoned off Walker St in Coburg after a house went up in flames

Another neighbour said she believes the fire was set intentionally.

“One person has been trying to set another person’s house alight for weeks now,” she said.

“It just has to be arson.”

A resident that lives behind the burnt down house said there was an incident earlier this week where someone attempted to set the house ablaze.

“It’s just not a safe area to be in right now,” she said.

“I would be devastated if the fire ever spread to my house.”

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

It comes after a tragic house fire in a Sunbury home that claimed the lives of a family’s pets.
More to come.