Fatal house fire and teenage boy in critical condition after alleged hit-run in Benalla

A person has died in a house fire while a 16-year-old boy is fighting for life after an alleged hit-run in a horror 24 hours in Benalla.

Police have closed Bridge St West and cordoned off an area at Deas St at Benalla to process the crime scenes of a fatal house fire and hit-run that left a teenage boy in critical condition. Picture: Supplied.

A person has died in a Benalla house fire on Saturday morning and a teenage boy is in critical condition after an alleged hit-run collision occurred nearby hours earlier.

The body of a person, yet to be formally identified, was located inside a Deas St property after emergency services were called about 5:15am on Saturday.

Arson and the Expolosives Squad detectives will attend the scene of the fatal blaze this morning, along with an arson chemist to investigate the cause of the fire.

A 16-year-old boy is fighting for life in hospital after being hit by a 4WD ute.

The Benalla boy was walking across Bridge St West, when he was struck about 9.20pm on Friday.

The 16-year-old was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with life threatening injuries.

According to police, the driver involved did not stop at the scene and fled in the damaged vehicle.

Both investigations are ongoing.

It is expected Bridge St West and a cordoned off area at Deas St will be closed for some time while police process the separate crime scenes.

Detectives are appealing for anyone who witnessed the fire, or the collision, or with information about the hit-run driver to come forward.

Anyone who witnessed either incident, has dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.