Woman found dead after Newtown house fire

The woman who died in an “intense” house fire in Newtown on Monday morning has been identified.

A woman who died in a tragic house fire in Newtown on Monday morning has been identified.

Judith Johns, believed to be in her 60s, was asleep in her Upper Skene St home when it was engulfed by flames.

Emergency services arrived at the scene about 2am after multiple neighbours called triple-0.

Next-door neighbour Tim, who withheld his surname, said he woke up, looked out the window and saw “intense flames” about 10m high.

“It was a wall of flames,” he said.

“It’s nothing like you would expect to ever see.

“It definitely shakes you a little bit.”

Tim said crews worked for about two hours to put the fire out, which he said came about 5m away from his property’s fence.

“(The shed) is gutted,” Tim said.

Police confirmed Ms Johns was found inside the property and died at the scene.

Detectives from the arson and explosives squad were at the scene on Monday morning however the blaze was later deemed non-suspicious.

The scene of a fatal house fire in Upper Skene St, Newtown. Picture: Brad Fleet

It is understood the fire started at the back of house, in a brick shed, before spreading to Ms Johns’ weatherboard home.

Neighbours said Ms Johns lived alone at the property after her adult son moved out of home about a year ago.

Pictures taken at the scene showed severe damage, with what appeared to be burnt piles of clothes and items.

Tim said Ms Johns used the shed as a storage area.

“The damage is pretty extensive,” he said.

“There is a smell of plastic.”

Next door neighbour Tim speaking to the media after a fatal house. Picture: Brad Fleet

Tim said Ms Johns was “friendly” but “introverted”.

“She kept to herself,” she said.

By 8am on Monday, the house was taped off by police and crews from the Geelong West fire brigade and detectives remained on the scene.

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokeswoman said multiple calls were received about a shed fire threatening houses.

She said it was 8m by 8m, with FRV and CFA brigades arriving on the scene within four minutes.

A police spokeswoman on Tuesday morning said the incident was not being treated as suspicious, and a report was being prepared for the coroner.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Originally published as Woman found dead after Newtown house fire