St Albans woman Jessica Pereira killed in house fire on Conrad St in St Albans

A woman has died in a house fire in Melbourne’s west as the arson squad works to determine the cause of the blaze.

A 32-year-old St Albans woman has died in a “devastating” house fire in Melbourne’s west, as the arson squad works to determine the cause of the blaze.

Jessica Pereira’s devastated family arrived at the scene before they spoke with investigators for several hours across the street.

Her grieving family members were visibly distraught on the footpath before they were allowed to pass the police tape and observe the badly damaged brick home.

They were too upset to speak with media.

A sign was erected by Brimbank City Council officers that warned the area was unsafe to enter due to asbestos.

The victim of a fatal house fire this morning has been identified as 32-year-old St Albans woman Jessica Pereira. Picture: Supplied.

Emergency services arrived within four minutes at Conrad St in St Albans at 6am on Friday where they found smoke and fire billowing from the roof of the property and feared it would spread to neighbouring homes.

The response was escalated as FRV crews wearing breathing apparatus entered the property to extinguish the fire and conducted a primary search, where the woman was located inside the property.

Ms Pereira’s body was removed and firefighters provided medical assistance but could not save her.

Her family were seen standing outside the home in an embrace about 11.15am.

Devastated loved ones, including her mother and father, arrived at the scene about 10.30am before speaking with police.

Emergency services investigate a suspicious death of a person at an early morning house fire at Conrad Street St Albans. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

An FRV spokesman originally said two people were pulled from the property and were treated by paramedics, but FRV Incident Controller Nicholas Allen confirmed only one woman was pulled from the scene.

Early investigations have revealed the property contained asbestos.

“In response to a fire there are always challenges such as falling debris from the structure that is impacted, that creates lots of hazards, smoke is also a hazard…. It’s always dangerous to enter a burning building,” Mr Allen said.

“This property was also deemed to have asbestos in it so that was another hazard they had to deal with.”

Crews will remain on scene until the cause of the fire is determined, which Mr Allen said would be likely until early afternoon.

Crews will remain on scene until the cause of the fire is determined, which Mr Allen said would be likely until early afternoon. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Neighbours told the Herald Sun they were stunned after seeing a body carried from the home by FRV crews.

One woman, who wished not to be named, said she did not think the fire would have such a “devastating” outcome.

“I heard it this morning but firefighters arrived so fast and got it under control so I did not think it would be so bad,” she said.

“It’s just devastating, I did not know them as it’s several houses up but this is just so sad.”

About 25 firefighters assisted at the incident, with 4 entering the property upon arrival to conduct the search for the individual. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Upon arrival crews implemented procedures to protect neighbouring properties as the fire was “well involved” with flames escaping from the roof and walls of the property.

About 25 firefighters assisted at the incident, with four fireys entering the property upon arrival to conduct the search for the individual.

Mr Allen said crews believed someone was inside following a call from the neighbour and investigators are told only person was home at the time of the fire.

A crime scene has now been declared.
Mr Allen said fires were treated as suspicious by default until a cause of the the blaze is determined.

Early investigations have revealed the property contained asbestos. Photo: Nilsson Jones.

Multiple fire crews and police remained at the scene on Friday morning with police tape blocking off both ends of the quiet street.

An SES tent was erected across the street from the scene with blacked-out walls concealing it.

Investigators were also seen speaking to nearby residents.

The investigation into the cause of the blaze is ongoing.