Hawthorn East fire near Fritsch Holzer Park under investigation

Neighbours watched as an empty home near a popular Hawthorn East park mysteriously went up in flames late in the evening. SEE THE FOOTAGE.

A vacant house near Fritsch Holzer Park in Hawthorn East was heavily damaged by fire last night.

Almost 30 firefighters rushed to Caroline and Munro streets about 10.45pm after several neighbours phoned 000.

Neighbours watched burning ash spurt from the house.

The house is engulfed in flames.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus conducted “an aggressive internal attack on the fire in the rear section of the house”, according to the MFB, bringing the fire under control within 16 minutes.

Five firetrucks and an aerial unit were involved in the fight.

The fire was not far from Fritsch Holzer Park.

Firefighters confirmed the single-storey house was vacant, as neighbours had previously reported.

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Police and ambulance were on scene but no one was injured.

MFB fire investigators are looking into the cause of the fire, while special safety procedures are in place to manage the asbestos present in the fire-ravaged structure.

The house, which is at 37 Caroline St, on the corners of Caroline and Munro streets, has been left with significant damage.