Yarraville, Melbourne: Victoria Police probe suspected firebombing as family escapes raging blaze

A Melbourne family was forced to flee for their lives after a suspicious fire broke out at their Yarraville home overnight; Police are now searching for the criminals believed to be responsible.

Emergency crews were called to Stephen Street just after 2.30am on Wednesday to reports that a car parked outside the property was engulfed in flames.

Within minutes, the fire had spread to the front of the house, blocking the family’s only exit and forcing the three occupants to flee to the backyard.

Victoria Police said initial investigations showed the fire was deliberately lit by “unknown criminals” who fled the scene before authorities arrived.

Fire crews battled the blaze for hours and remained on the scene until 6 a.m. as the house continued to burn. Police later cordoned off the area and are awaiting permission from fire investigators to begin investigating the incident, which is now being treated as a targeted attack.

It was understood that the incident may have been a fire bomb, and a second vehicle was set on fire outside the house by an unidentified person.

No arrests have been made and detectives are appealing for anyone with CCTV, dashcam footage or information to come forward.

Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or crimetoppersvic.com.au.