A woman is fighting for life after a suspected arson attack at a house in Melbourne’s west.
The blaze is believed to have been ignited by a flammable liquid at the house on Sutherland Street, Albanvale, at 5.20pm on Monday.
Victoria Police believe a man allegedly started the fire before others at the house attempted to extinguish the flames.
“The exact circumstances surrounding the incident (are) being investigated by the Arson and Explosive Squad,” a Victoria Police spokesman said.
Three people were rushed to hospital including a 38-year man who is under police guard with non-life threatening injuries.
A 36-year-old woman was critically injured while a 17-year-old girl is being treated for minor injuries.
All were known to each other.
One neighbour told the Herald Sun the fire triggered a cloud of black smoke to fill the street.
“I ran out to see if I could help. The street was just filled with thick, dark smoke,” he said.
“It was scary. there were fire brigades, trucks, six or sevens cops, five ambulances.
“The whole street was just flashing lights.”
It took 26 firefighters more than 30 minutes to control the flames, according to Fire Rescue Victoria.
