Abandoned Ascot Vale house cost neighbours their homes after raging fire

Complaints about a junk-filled “tinderbox” fell on deaf ears and destroyed neighbouring homes after firefighters were delayed by one thing.

Two homes damaged by fire in Melbourne’s inner north could have been spared if a fire hydrant had not been covered during recent road resurfacing work – or the local council had acted on their complaints – furious residents say.

Flames took hold of a dilapidated, junk-filled property on Mirams St, Ascot Vale, in the early hours of May 15.

Locals had been submitting complaints to the local council for years claiming the unoccupied home – which they described as a “tinderbox” – posed a risk to its neighbours.

Hannah, her husband Steve and their two-year-old son were asleep when the blaze erupted metres from their home.

Hannah with husband Steve and their two-year-old son at their fire-damaged home. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The devastated mum said the damage to the side of their house was extensive.

“We can’t live there anymore,” she told the Herald Sun.

Firefighters arrived within three minutes and started dousing the flames with water from their trucks, but their supplies ran out.

Witness Michael Shelton recounted the moment firefighters examined the bitumen and found they could not access the below-ground fire hydrant.

“They told me this happens all the time after a road’s been resurfaced,” he said.

Firefighters were forced to make their way to the hydrants on Epsom Rd and Union Rd, 170m and 200m away, rolling out metres of hose to pump the water towards the blaze.

The Herald Sun understands it took 10 minutes ­before water finally began flowing through the hoses.

Flames took hold of the dilapidated, junk-filled property earlier this month.

Mirams St resident Bernie, who also lives next to the dilapidated property, estimates her own house suffered $500,000 worth of damage.

She praised the firefighters’ efforts but said “precious minutes” were lost when they could not use the nearby hydrant.

“That cost us our house and cost Hannah her house,” she said.

“That could have cost lives.”

She said her husband had called the council to complain about the dilapidated property but his concerns had been dismissed.

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokeswoman confirmed the firefighters were unable to locate the hydrant.

“All FRV primary appliances carry water to provide initial extinguishment activities until a secure water source is found,” she said.

The fire-damaged bedroom of another neighbour.

“Firefighters face challenges at every scene and use their skills, training, and many different tactics to adapt and overcome these issues.”

Moonee Valley City Council chief executive Helen Sui said the council was glad everyone was safe.

“We are aware this matter may be under investigation by the relevant authorities,” she said.

“If requested, we will be happy to co-operate with them as required about any issue relating to the incident.”

She did not say whether the council had signed off on the road resurfacing completed in 2021, or whether it had acted on complaints about the unoccupied property.