VIDEO: Firefighters, police and ambulance officers on scene as home destroyed

Nearby residents reported hearing an explosion before flames engulfed the Victoria Street home on Thursday afternoon.

The blaze broke out about 1.15pm and firefighters remained on scene for hours.

About 25 firefighters fought the blaze and Wodonga detectives and crime scene officers attended the scene. 

There was little that could be done to save the property. 

Several police units searched the area. 

The police air wing was brought in for assistance.

Michael North was driving near the home and was one of the first people at the scene.

He noticed smoke and went over to have a look.

“I pulled over and thought ‘something’s not kosher here’,” Mr North said.

“The divi wagon pulled over and I thought ‘oh, I’m gone here’.

“He pulled over in front of us, did a U-turn and called the fire brigade.

“It just smouldered and then all of the sudden, up she went.”

Mr North ran over the house and made sure no-one was inside.

“I knocked on the door and made a hell of a racket,” he said.

“Thank God no-one was in there.

“The way that was going, nothing was going to stop it.”

Flames could be seen leaping from the top of the tin roof.

The home was destroyed by smoke and flames.

Firefighter Matthew Johnson said the incident was being treated as suspicious.

“Until we’re actually able to identify a cause of the fire, we go on the side of caution and deem it suspicious,” he said.

“There are some (suspicious) factors at this stage, but I’m unable to go any further.”

Police blocked off the road for several hours.

Mr Johnson said an advice message was put out and those at a nearby early learning centre were told to shelter and close windows. 

“It was initially an external fire fight and we did have some concerns about structural collapse,” he said. 

“As we gained control of the perimeter, we then had crews move inside the building to extinguish.”

Police were continuing to investigate the matter on Thursday afternoon.