mmg.com.au

Arson chemists have inspected a Mooroopna home that was destroyed by fire on Saturday night.

Police are calling for witnesses who may have seen someone acting suspiciously in the area before the blaze started.

Photo taken by Mark Liversidge 

Shepparton police Senior Constable Nathan Trimby said the cause of the McKean St fire, which started about 10pm, was not known, but it was being treated as suspicious.

He said the home was under renovation and the owners didn’t live in the area.

Photo taken by Mark Liversidge 

Neighbours phoned emergency services when they saw smoke and flames coming from the house.

Christine Ferguson had to evacuate her four children from their nearby home during the height of the blaze.

‘‘It was right up. It caught quick,’’ she said.

Ms Ferguson said the heat from the fire shattered four windows on her property.

‘‘Even my lawn caught on fire.’’

The family had to wait outside for several hours.

‘‘It was scary. It got too smokey for the kids,’’ she said.

The family went to a nearby friend’s house.

Another neighbour Debra Parker said the fire was the third one she’d heard of in the area in a matter of days.

She believed the house on fire was unoccupied.

‘‘It was pretty scary — we thought the house next door might go too.’’

She praised the fire crews for their work.

Resident Dale Hunter said the light and noise from the fire woke him up.

‘‘The flames were coming out right near the road.’’

A police scene guard was in place yesterday and Victoria Police arson chemists arrived from Melbourne to inspect the property.

Anyone with information is encouraged to phone Senior Constable Nathan Trimby at Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit on 58205800 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800333000.