A FIRE which destroyed a Melton West Drive home yesterday is not believed to have been deliberately lit.
CFA Melton senior station officer Cory Woodyatt said it was lucky no one was at the Melton West home when the fire started at 3.05pm on January 23.
A neighbour called the CFA and the fire was under control within about 14 minutes.
CLICK HERE for our picture gallery of the Melton West fire.
Three firefighting appliances from Melton, two brigade trucks and a specialist breathing apparatus support truck from Sunbury were used to fight the blaze.
The owner of the house arrived while the fire was being controlled.
Mr Woodyatt estimated the value of the house and contents was about $200,000.
He said that despite the time of the year considered bushfire season, many structural and housefires still occurred.
“People need to remain vigilant and ensure smoke alarms are working and that evaporative coolers are serviced every year and to have a working fire escape plan.’’
Officer Woodyatt said fire investigators were unable to determine the cause of the fire at this stage.