By Paul Dunlop
FIRE ripped through a family home in Pakenham on Friday afternoon.
The blaze destroyed several rooms, but firefighters fought desperately to prevent the entire house from being destroyed.
Nobody was hurt in the fire, but the incident created dramatic scenes for several hours in Thwaites Road and sent smoke billowing across town.
Country Fire Authority (CFA) officials are investigating the cause of the fire, which was reported about 1.30pm.
Firefighters from Pakenham, Toomuc, Pakenham Upper, Kooweerup and Nar Nar Goon fought the flames with units from Frankston and Springvale providing specialist support.
Firefighters used special breathing apparatus to combat thick smoke and employed infra red cameras to help locate hotspots after the flames had been quelled.
Investigators believe the fire began in the kitchen or lounge room, but were continuing their inquiries this week.
Neighbours watched anxiously as CFA volunteers used ladders and hoses running from several tankers to douse the roof and walls.
The house was owned by a local family.
Pakenham CFA lieutenant Graham Love said the fire was reported after the wife came home and noticed smoke.
“It was burning fiercely when we arrived. The windows had blown out from the heat,” he said.
Mr Love said more than 20 firefighters fought the blaze and remained on the scene for several hours mopping up hotspots.
Pakenham police also attended.
Mr Love said firefighters did well to contain the fire to the northern end of the house.
“It was a pretty good save,” he said.
“There was quite a lot of smoke damage but it could have been much worse.
“The worstcase scenario would have been the whole house going up, but that did not happen.”
Police said the fire caused damage with an estimated repair bill of about $250,000.