A house fire in McDonald Court on Wednesday, November 4 caused significant damage to a family home.
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Fire investigators are at the scene of an Echuca house fire that tore through the rear half of a family home this morning and left it unliveable.
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Despite the extent of the damage, the three occupants and several animals were lucky to escape the blaze in McDonald Court.
Emergency services were called to the property shortly after 6.15am on Wednesday after receiving numerous triple-zero calls reporting smoke billowing from the house.
CFA District 20 Commander Paul Elso said four CFA vehicles from Echuca and one from Echuca Village responded.
"When crews arrived, there was fire coming out of the windows," Mr Elso said.
With the back half of the home fully engulfed, firefighters brought the blaze under control by 7.10am.
"The house is still standing, but it is not liveable,” Mr Elso said.
“There has been significant damage through the roof and the rear of the building, which has been completely gutted."
The damage to the back half of the McDonald Court home.
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A CFA fire investigator was on-site on Wednesday morning examining the scene.
Echuca CFA 1st Lieutenant Mark Hooper confirmed the fire was not suspicious, but the cause had not been determined.
“We have been unable to access the roof space because the timber is burnt so we can’t get into the ceiling to look at this stage,” he said.
“We can’t rule anything in or out about what caused the fire just yet.”
Mr Hooper said while the home was fitted with working smoke alarms, the family had been woken by the sound of material exploding.
“We are happy there has been no loss to life and everyone got out safely,” he said.
"This is a good reminder to make sure your smoke alarms are tested and operational.”
There was significant fire damage to the roof of the McDonald Court home.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
Ambulance Victoria and the power company attended as a precaution, but no-one needed to be transported to hospital.
Mr Hooper said a Campaspe Shire Council surveyor had assessed the property and determined it would likely have to be demolished.
Mr Hooper and Mr Elso both praised neighbours and bystanders who quickly raised the alarm and helped residents and animals evacuate safely before emergency services arrived.
"Neighbours and locals did a really good job making emergency services aware of the situation and assisting the occupants," Mr Elso said.
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