Rhonda-Lee O’Neill, 56, was taken to hospital for observation after she and her 78-year-old housemate fled as smoke filled their Lawry Street house about 4pm on Sunday.

Twenty-five firefighters from two brigades – wearing protective gear with the risk of asbestos – battled the blaze as a large crowd watched on.

Pam Martin said her family rushed down to the house after receiving a call from Ms O'Neill, her half-sister.

“We found out there was a fire and they think it started with powerpoints in the bedroom,” she said.

“She and Ray got out okay – it’s very scary.

“She has only lived here since February, when she got out of hospital.

“A neighbour has offered her a bed for the night, so that’s really good.”

Ms O’Neill was shaken, but okay, and her housemate was treated for minor burns to the hand.

Craigieburn station officer Graeme Bland said a large column of black smoke was in clear view of the Wodonga fire brigade as they drove to the home, near Pearce Street.

“As we turned into the street we noticed the house was well alight with fire,” he said.

“It seemed it was fully engulfed – there was smoke and flames coming from quite a lot of the house – the fire, however, was contained to inside the house itself.

“Given the construction – timber frame with an artificial-type weatherboard – yes it has (gone up quickly).

“There is the possibility there is asbestos here, given the age of the house, and as precaution we are sending a lot of our turn-out gear to be checked.”

Unable to get to the power initially made the task at hand more difficult for the members.

“That, and the gas still being connected, made the fire fight harder but once they were isolated and we attacked the fire, it was out within 35 minutes,” Mr Bland said.

Ms O’Neill and her housemate were out of the home when brigades arrived and Mr Bland said given the time of the day, they had been lucky to get out unharmed.

“Talking to the owner of the house, we believe the fire started from the bedroom or lounge-room, but that’s yet to be confirmed,” he said.

On Sunday evening, investigations into the cause of the fire were continuing.

It wasn’t the only house fire North East brigades attended on Sunday – Wangaratta Fire Brigade was called to a retirement village on Harrison Street about 3.30pm for a small fire that began on a stove-top.

Lead firefighter Robert Skase said it was a reminder never to leave cooking unattended.

“An elderly gentleman had left something cooking on the stove and had gone across to the community centre at the village,” he said.

“The stove had been turned off by one of his neighbours, after she heard the smoke alarm operating, contacted the fire brigade and then she went in and turned it off.

“There was very little damage apart from a little smoke.”