The Trudewind Road property damaged by Thursday’s blaze has previously housed drug lab equipment, and had to be stripped and cleaned by authorities due to ice contamination.

The property was also the scene of raids following a terrifying home invasion, with guns and other weapons recovered.

The home was sold at auction on September 22 for $141,000 and was undergoing renovations to repair it.

Police came across a fire in the front yard of the property about 12.45pm on Thursday and contacted firefighters.

A pile of timber had caught alight.

The flames quickly spread from the timber in the front yard to the property’s eaves and roof, which had smoke billowing out of it.

Fire investigators were called in to determine the cause of the fire.

About 15 firefighters, uniformed officers and three detectives attended the scene.

Tiles and insulation had to be removed to access the roof and windows at the front of the property were smashed.

Acting Sergeant Sarrah O’Keefe said tradesmen had left for lunch when the fire started.

“The cause is undetermined at this point in time,” she said.

Nearby resident Jo O'Halloran said police had told her to evacuate her home before firefighters arrived. 

“I could smell smoke,” she said. 

“The whole pile at the front was on fire, then all underneath the house was on fire. 

“I don’t know how it started, but there had been tradies in there doing stuff.” 

She said the timber had been taken out of the home. 

Another resident said one or two tradesmen had been renovating the home for several months after it was sold. 

It was unclear who owns the home, but the property was reportedly bought by an investor. 

Electricians rendered the home safe. 

Several people are serving lengthy jail terms after hatching plans at the property to undertake armed home invasions near Mildura. 

The offenders drove from Wodonga to Tol Tol on two occasions in early 2017. 

The victims were robbed at gunpoint and knifepoint by the offenders, who were wearing balaclavas, with the items later found at the Trudewind Road property during raids. 

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