Man arrested, residents flee burning home in Corio

A 25-year-old man has fronted court over an alleged house fire in Geelong that saw two people flee from the burning home.

Police at the scene of a house fire in Princess Street, Corio on Monday. Picture: Alan Barber

UPDATE: A man has faced court over an alleged house fire in Geelong that saw two people flee from the burning home.

Corio man Kain Kelly, 25, appeared in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Friday after he was arrested over the Corio blaze on Monday.

The fire forced a woman and child to run from the burning house on Princess Road.

Detectives and officers from Victoria Police at the Corio scene on Monday. Picture: Alan Barber

Mr Kelly was charged with criminal damage by fire (arson), theft of a motor vehicle, reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury and possessing explosive material.

Victoria Police will also allege the man crashed a car into a tree after fleeing the scene before his arrest.

The matter was adjourned to a later date.

EARLIER: A man has been arrested after allegedly trying to flee the scene of a Corio house fire that forced a woman and child to run from the burning home.

The woman and child escaped the flames at the Princess Rd property about 8am Monday.

“A 35-old-man crashed a car into a tree after fleeing the scene and was subsequently arrested,” a police spokeswoman said.

Police at the scene of a house fire in Princess Street, Corio on Monday. Picture: Alan Barber

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesman said the fire was in the roof space at the rear of the single-storey brick home.

“The occupants of the house self-evacuated and there have been no reports of injuries,” the spokesman said.

A CFA spokeswoman said fire burned through 60 sqm of the house and crews in breathing apparatus were on the scene.

“The incident was deemed safe at 9.33am,” the spokeswoman said.

“Relevant power and gas companies were notified to attend the incident.”

The scene was handed over to the police.

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said paramedics were called to the blaze but no one required emergency treatment or transport.

Victoria Police has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Man arrested, residents flee burning home in Corio