A WOMAN arrested following a house fire in Wodonga had allegedly been drinking with the occupants just hours before.
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The Lawrence Street home went up in flames about 6.30pm Tuesday night and firefighters and police blocked part of the road at the William Street intersection.
The weatherboard home was extinguished just after 7pm.
The woman, 40, was arrested about 9.30pm Tuesday night and charged with a single count of arson.
It is alleged she was drinking with the occupants before an argument broke out.
She was released on bail with strict conditions and will appear in Wodonga court in November.
Police are investigating the incident and Wodonga Detective Leading Senior Constable Andrew Leonard said the house was owned by the Department of Housing.
“They are still in the process of assessing the damage but it’s in excess of $50,000,” he said.
The fire was lit at the front of the house and Senior Constable Leonard said the porch had been destroyed.
The two occupants were at home the time the fire was lit, but they escaped without injury.
“They are now being cared for by friends,” he said.
Wodonga firefighters were also called to a blaze in Ebden on Wednesday morning.
They found a 10 metre by 15 metre shed on fire on the Murray Valley Highway about 2am.
Senior Constable Leonard is keen to speak to anybody with information about the house fire in Wodonga and people can contact police on (02) 6049 2600 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
