Belgrave house fire: Firefighters called to Monbulk Road blaze

Three men have had a lucky escape after a candle set fire to the carpet in a bedroom, destroying a house close to the Puffing Billy Railway.

Three men have had a lucky escape after a huge fire destroyed a home in Belgrave.

Fire investigators believe an unattended candle sparked the blaze at 3am on Wednesday.

CFA crews rushed to the scene to find the home completely alight.

Fire Rescue Victoria investigator Damian O’Toole said a man woke to find his bedroom alight.

“The occupier of the bedroom had a candle next to his bed and has woken to find the carpet on fire,” he said.

The man suffered burns to his face and his beard and moustache were singed but the other occupants managed to escape safely.

Mr O’Toole said it was a timely reminder to have working smoke alarms, with the occupier unsure where they were located in the house.

An emergency order will now be issued for the house to be demolished.

Radiant heat from the blaze also damaged weatherboards on the house next door.

Belgrave CFA officer Shane Brosnan said it was a long and complex fire fight, with crews having some issues obtaining water to fight the fire.

He when crews arrived the house was fully alight with flames coming vigorously from the home.

Crews from Kallista, Upwey, Sassasfras/Ferny Creek and Bayswater attended.