Woman arrested over suspicious house fire in Broadmeadows

A woman has been arrested and a man has had a lucky escape after a blaze sent a home in Melbourne’s north up in flames.

Police probe the circumstances surrounding a fire at a home in Broadmeadows in Melbourne’s north. Picture: Erin Constable

A woman has been arrested following a suspicious house fire in Broadmeadows.

The blaze broke out at an Ophir St property just after 2am on Wednesday.

A 67-year-old man was forced to flee the residence but escaped injury.

Police allege the fire was suspiciously lit and arrested a 61-year-old woman a short time later.

She has been taken to hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries and remains there under police guard.

It took 28 firefighters about half an hour to contain the blaze after multiple residents called triple-0.

The Ophir St property remained deserted on Wednesday morning after the blaze and part of the roof appeared to have collapsed.

The front door remained open revealing a charred interior.

A 67-year-old man managed to escape the blaze without injury. Picture: Nine

Surrounding properties were untouched by the flames.

Firefighters had left the scene on Wednesday morning but police remained guarding the home until arson detectives arrived to collect evidence.

One neighbour described hearing a voice before the sirens.

“I try to keep to myself, and I just heard a voice,” she said.

“I saw the sirens and then just stayed in my house.”

She said two people came running out the driveway of the burning house.

“The firefighters arrived very quickly and put out the fire,” the neighbour said.

The neighbour said she did not know the people who lived in the home.

A woman has been arrested over what police allege was a suspicious blaze at a home in Broadmeadows. Picture: Channel 9

Another neighbour who has lived on the street for 20 years said she was shocked to hear the sirens.

“It was so early in the morning,” she said.

“I could hear the sirens and so many people were out on the street.

“There were like 30 firefighters and all the neighbours standing outside.”

Both women said they did not know the residents of the home that was set alight.

“I didn’t even know there were people living there,” said the second neighbour.

Betty Jansen van Vuuren, who lives across the street said she couldn’t believe what had happened.

“We have the most beautiful neighbours and everyone looks out for one another,” she said.

“Even last night everyone made sure people from every house was OK.”

Ms Jansen van Vuuren said the first neighbour to wake up to the blaze alerted the surrounding houses.

“He grabbed his dog and knocked on everyone’s door to wake them up and get them out.”

She said she didn’t know the pair who were living inside the home that was set alight.

“I barely even knew people were living in that house.”

Detectives on Wednesday could be seen talking to neighbouring residents and assessing the scene.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, with vision or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.