A woman has died in a fatal fire that engulfed a townhouse in Melbourne’s west early this morning.
Emergency services were called to the blaze on Dover Street, Truganina, at approximately 2:20am.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news with The Victorian Briefing – keeping you in the loop with news as it hits:
Fire crews worked for more than two hours to bring the fire under control, but the three-storey townhouse was completely destroyed.
Victoria Police confirmed that one female resident, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene.
Authorities are investigating whether a second person may still be unaccounted for.
“A crime scene has been established, and an arson chemist will attend the scene this morning,” a police spokesperson said.
Neighbours described the scene as chaotic and terrifying.
Divnoor Sodhr, who lives next door, told the ABC that flames were visible from every window as the fire spread rapidly.
“Windows were falling, and there was fire coming out of all the windows,” he said.
“It was a huge fire, it was a full street of emergency cars.”
Sodhr said neighbours attempted to check on the residents, but no one responded.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined, with investigations ongoing.
Police have urged anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
More to come.
Subscribe to The Briefing, Australia’s fastest-growing news podcast on LiSTNR today. The Briefing serves up the latest news and deep dives on topics affecting you, all in under 20 minutes.