A DERELICT house has been destroyed after a suspicious fire in Ballarat overnight.
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Firefighters were called to a house fire at Humffray Street South, Ballarat just before 11.10pm on Monday.
Three fire units from Ballarat City and Ballarat brigades attended the abandoned house with the home well alight.
Upon arrival, Ballarat Senior Station Officer Steve Poulter said firefighters were told there was a possibility people could have been inside the house.
"When we arrived we were advised there coudl have been squatters. Our priority then was to ensure no one was inside," Mr Poulter said.
Luckily no one was found inside at the time.
Crews brought the blaze under control in 30 minutes and remained on scene for two hours until the scene was deemed safe.
He said the house remains standing but will have to be destroyed.
A police unit guarded the home overnight.
Fire investigators and Ballarat Crime Investigation Unit detectives will be on scene Tuesday morning to determine the cause of the fire.
david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au