A 21-year-old Truganina man has died as a result of a house fire at Hoppers Crossing last week.
Five Country Fire Authority (CFA) crews were called to the Amandi Terrace property shortly before 10pm on Monday, January 11, to find the single-storey brick veneer unit fully alight.
Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control within 20 minutes.
Three people were in the unit at the time.
The man was airlifted to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition after suffering serious burns to his body. He died in hospital the following day.
A woman in her early 20s was treated at the scene for minor burns, and a 12-month-old baby was checked 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,” Mr Wright said. “Never use them in a confined space.”
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
The Amandi Terrace fire was one of two house fires in Hoppers Crossing within 12 hours of each other.
Police arrested a 39-year-old Hoppers Crossing man in relation to a house fire on Judkins Avenue on January 12.
Three crews from the Hoppers Crossing and Point Cook units arrived shortly before 9am to find fire had spread through the house roof. The fire was quickly brought under control.
Police are treating it as suspicious and investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
