Ballarat City Fire Station senior officer Ben Townsend said crews were called out to the scene along Merino Drive following reports the fire had started in the brick house’s garage about 7.45am.

“The house was fully involved in fire when we arrived,” he said.

“The fire appears to have started in the garage and then spread to the rest of the property.”

The home’s distraught occupants escaped and were comforted by emergency workers as crews worked to stop the fire spreading to neighbouring properties, bringing the blaze under control within 30 minutes.

It’s believed the house was fitted with working smoke detectors, but a passerby saw the fire in the garage and alerted the house’s occupants before firefighters were called in, Mr Townsend said.

“We accounted for all the family members as our first port of call,” Mr Townsend said.

“The male occupant of the property did try to fight the fire, but it was too late.”

Paramedics treated the man, believed to be aged in his 50s, for smoke inhalation at the scene.

A woman and two children avoided injury. 

EARLIER, 8.30AM:

The fire has now been listed as being under control.

The CFA has released the following information.

UPDATE, 8.15AM: Nearby neighbours are being evacuated as fire crews continue to fight the fire.

The brick house is still fully alight.

Merino Drive is blocked off to traffic and thick plumes of smoke are in the air.

8AM: Fire crews are currently battling a serious house fire in Alfredton.

At least seven fire units are on scene at the Merino Drive house, with reports the house is fully alight.

Crews were called to the house about 7.45am.

It is not yet known if there are any injuries.

People are urged to avoid the area.

More to come.