The CFA and police were called to the Park Street property about 3.30am.

Fire fighters said the brick unit was fully alight when they arrived on scene. 

Initially there were reports the occupants of the unit were missing, but they were later found in a neighbour’s house.

Two CFA units from Ballarat City and one from Sebastopol extinguished the blaze.

Crews remained on scene for four hours. Fire fighters said the unit was “completely destroyed”. 

Ballarat Police forensic units were on scene on Saturday morning to determine the cause of the fire.

The male occupant of the house was uninjured, but was taken to hospital for assessment.

A concerned resident, who did not wish to be named, said the area was considered safe.

“It’s been a pretty good area,” he said. “We have never seen anything like this.” 

The house fire is the second to have occurred in Ballarat in one week. 

Last Wednesday, a Birdwood Avenue home in Sebastopol was destroyed after fire engulfed the property about 9.30am. 

Two women suffered upper body burns in the incident. 

The incident is one of few attended by Ballarat City fire crews at the weekend.

Crews were also called to a chimney fire at a Bullarook property on Sunday about 2pm. 

Three appliances from Ballarat City and trucks from Glen Park and Bungaree attended.

Meanwhile, a  woman from regional Victoria is no longer under police guard while homicide detectives investigate the death of a baby.

Police said a man arrived at Bairnsdale Hospital on Friday about 7.30pm with the body of a newborn.

The newborn is believed to have been found at a property in Ah Yee Place in Paynesville.

Victoria Police said the 30-year-old woman was no longer under police guard in relation to the incident, but the investigation would continue. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A confidential crime report can be submitted at crimestoppersvic.com.au