CFA stems inferno

A FIRE which destroyed a weatherboard house in Old Fernshaw Road, Healesville, on Thursday morning is believed to have started in the bedroom.
The owner of the house, Healesville resident Steve Murphy, and neighbouring property owners watched with disbelief as, despite the best efforts of CFA firefighters, the house burnt to the ground.
Badger Creek CFA captain Nic Rodway said the brigade received the fire call just after 6.45am and the fire was well underway when CFA units from Healesville and Badger Creek arrived on the scene.
As firefighters battled to bring the fire under control, they poured water on a neighbouring house, which was occupied by a young couple and their baby. Flames and heat from the fire also threatened to ignite nearby trees.
Neighbour, Tanjil Conrad, said sh first knew of the fire when someone knocked on their door. “It was very close and quite scary with a new baby,” she said. “We just got the baby and animals out.”
CFA fire investigator Brian Neal and Arson Squad detectives visited the site on Thursday. Mr Neal said it was believed the fire started in the bedroom but that the cause was undetermined.
Inspectors from Energy Save Victoria were called to conduct an electrical inspection, Mr Neal said.
CFA spokesman, Geoff Deacon, said the estimated damage to the property was about $180,000. Devastated by the events of the previous day, Mr Murphy declined to comment on the fire when the Mail spoke with him on Friday.