Neighbours heard fighting before explosive fatal fire at Croydon house
Fighting was heard just hours before a fatal house fire broke out in Croydon overnight, with neighbours saying they were previously forced to call police to the home. Explosions were heard coming from inside before the raging blaze was brought under control.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Residents of the Croydon street where a man perished in a house fire in the early hours of Sunday morning have told of how they heard fighting from the home just hours before the blaze broke out.
Emergency services were called to the home on Lusher Rd just before 4am, arriving to find the property engulfed in flames.
A man’s body was found inside the house, and is yet to be formally identified.
Firefighters were able to save a second man, who was taken to hospital for observation.
Arson squad detectives, forensics and firefighters remain at the scene of the fire on Lusher Rd as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the blaze.
An elderly man, the owner of the home, and a younger man were understood to have been living in the house at the time of the blaze but police are yet to formally identify the victim.
Kimberly Reynolds and Rebecca Aktins, who live next door to the fire-damaged residence, revealed how they woke up to police knocking on their door at 4am, urging them to evacuate as quickly as possible over fears the fire would spread to neighbouring properties.
“We woke up to banging on the front door. Police told us to evacuate and we got Bec, myself and our son out,” Ms Reynolds said.
“Then I noticed the whole building was on fire, to the point where the flames were almost coming to on top of our roof.
Ms Atkins added: “It was really scary. We didn’t know what to grab, especially because we were all just woken up. It was really hard.”
Ms Reynolds, who has lived next door for the past two years, said while she often heard shouting coming from the house, the noise had gotten worse in recent weeks, prompting her to call police several times.
“There have been a few occasions where the elderly guy has called over the fence,” she said.
“I know there’s a lot of violence next door. It’s constant, to the point where we had to call the cops eight times in two weeks.”
Another neighbour told of how he woke up to the sound of sirens and was shocked to see flames coming from the house when he walked outside.
Several explosions were also heard before the fire was brought under control in just over 30 minutes.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, with access to the house limited due to its structural issues.
A crime scene has been established and an arson chemist will attend the site this morning.
Investigators have urged anyone who witnessed the incident or with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestoppersvic.com.au
MORE NEWS