MELTON police believe an early morning house fire in Melton West on April 17 was deliberately lit.
The fire caused more than $300,000 damage to the Westlake Drive house.
Acting Sergeant Mick Downes said the fire was in the kitchen and garage.
CFA crews responded just after midnight and took 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control.
A smoke alarm alerted the residents to the fire.
Melton CFA’s Paul Hopkins said it was a timely reminder about the importance of working smoke alarms, and residents should ensure heaters were properly maintained.
“Don’t piggy back electrical appliances on power boards, it can cause an electrical fire; dry clothes at least a metre away from heaters, especially electric bar heaters and use fireguards around wood heaters.
“Don’t deadlock yourself in your home; if there is a fire, escaping is made more difficult,” a CFA spokesman said.
The fire comes a month after another suspicious blaze in Melton South, which is the subject of an ongoing investigation.
Police do not believe the fires are linked.
Information to Crime Stoppers 1800333000 or Detective Ross McCann on 97477999.
