By Charlene Macaulay
A 21-year-old Truganina man has died following a house fire in Hoppers Crossing earlier this week.
Five Country Fire Authority (CFA) crews were called out to the Amandi Terrace property shortly before 10pm on Monday night to find the single-storey brick veneer unit fully alight. Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control within 20 minutes.
The man was airlifted to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition after suffering serious burns to his body, and died in hospital on Tuesday.
A woman in her early 20s was treated at the scene for minor burns and a 12-month-old baby was checked over by paramedics as a precaution.
CFA duty officer Gavin Wright said it appeared a gas bottle had ignited, fuelling the fire. “It’s a sobering reminder to always take extreme care when dealing with gas bottles, and never use them in a confined space,” Mr Wright said. Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
The Amandi Terrace fire was one of two house fires to happen in Hoppers Crossing within 12 hours.
Police have arrested a 39-year-old Hoppers Crossing man in relation to a house fire on Judkins Avenue on Tuesday morning.
Three crews from the Hoppers Crossing and Point Cook units arrived shortly before 9am to find fire had spread through the roof of the property.
The fire was quickly brought under control.
Police are treating the fire as suspicious and investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze. No charges have been laid.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
