Family escapes Cockatoo house fire

Eight CFA crews were called to the large weatherboard house after flames erupted about 11.20pm, while a family of four were inside.

By Jessica Anstice

CFA crews battled a fire that destroyed the entire top floor of a home in Cockatoo overnight on Wednesday 1 July.

It took emergency service crews about 40 minutes to extinguish the flames of the ‘non suspicious’ fire in a three-storey house along Woori Yallock Road.

Eight CFA crews were called to the large weatherboard house after flames erupted about 11.20pm, while a family of four were inside.

The family was lucky to escape the fire and Ambulance Victoria was called to the house, however no one was treated for injuries.

Local fire fighters left the scene about 2.30am, with a Cockatoo Fire Brigade volunteer describing the fire as “pretty full on”.

CFA investigators returned to the scene on Thursday morning to explore what may have caused the fire and to assess the damage.

It is known that the fire caused severe smoke and water damage to the structure.

Police also attended the scene.