Ringwood home gutted by flames

Firefighters rushed to the Oliver St home to find the back of the house completely alight and flames threatening a neighbouring property.

Firefighters arrived on scene of the Oliver St blaze within four minutes. Picture: File

The rear of a Ringwood home has been gutted by flames after a fire erupted about 8.30pm Wednesday night.

Firefighters, who arrived at the scene within four minutes, conducted a search of the Oliver St home and confirmed no one was inside at the time of the blaze.

Flames threatened a neighbouring home, but fireys were able to control the blaze within 30 minutes, leaving next door untouched by the fire.

A smoke warning was issued for the surrounding area.

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said the cause of the fire was yet to be determined.

“Fire investigators will be attending in the morning and firefighters will be remaining on scene throughout the night to undertake fire duties,” said the spokesperson.

Firefighters remain at the scene on Wednesday to assess the home.

Neighbour Martin Craig said he heard a loud bang and then the sirens of the fire trucks.

“I was just sitting at home when I heard the bang,” he said.

“With the Maroondah Hwy so close, usually I don’t worry about it, but when I heard the sirens on our street I came out to have a look.

“There wasn’t a lot of smoke but the flames were very close to the home behind the one on fire.”

Fire technicians investigating the cause of the blaze. Photo: Erin Constable

The damage from the fire cannot be seen from the front of the home.

“Our street has a lot of traffic but it is usually pretty quiet so it was a shock to have the fire so close to home,” said Mr Craig.

Investigators arrived on scene on Wednesday morning to determine the cause of the blaze.

Fire technicians in white suits could be seen entering the damaged home.

It is unclear whether the cause of the loud bang reported by the neighbour was the source of the flames.