Vic: Child with lighter blamed for $100,000 house fire

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2008
Vic: Child with lighter blamed for $100,000 house fire

MELBOURNE, April 8 AAP - A child playing with a lighter has been blamed for starting
a fire that caused an estimated $100,000 damage to a flat in Melbourne's inner south-east
yesterday.

The pre-school aged boy was not injured in the fire, which engulfed a bedroom and kitchen
in the second storey flat in McIlwrick Street, Windsor shortly after 8.45pm (AEST), a
Metropolitan Fire Brigade spokesman said.

His mother, 26, suffered slight smoke inhalation while trying to douse the flames.

The fire also caused extensive smoke and heat damage.

The child will be referred to the MFB's junior fire awareness program, the spokesman said.

AAP jrd/rs

KEYWORD: LIGHTER

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