A Yarraville weatherboard house has been gutted in what is believed to be an arson attack.
Firefighters were called to the single-storey Yarraville house just before midnight on Monday.
The Powell Street property was already well alight and flames from the blaze were threatening a neighbouring home.
Metropolitan Fire Brigade fire service communications controller Trevor Woodward said quick action by the first firefighters at the scene prevented the blaze from spreading.
Twenty-two firefighters took 20 minutes to bring the fire under control.
Mr Woodward said the fire was believed to have been deliberately lit and police had been notified of the suspicious circumstances.
The house was empty during the blaze and the damage bill has been estimated at $200,000.
