Talented Melbourne musician killed after fire tears though bungalow

A young musician has been killed after fire swept through a Melbourne home this morning as he slept. 

Fire crews were called to Berrima Ave in Malvern East about 5am, where the bungalow at the rear of a property was alight.

They extinguished the fire and found the body of 21-year-old Connor Tolson in the wreckage during a search.

The structure served as Mr Tolson's bedroom and makeshift music studio for the budding guitarist, singer and drummer.

Family friend David Nell paid tribute to a friendly and talented young man.

"Lovely young man, an aspiring musician," Mr Nell said.  

"I'm absolutely devastated that as a young child, as a young boy, he's been cut down in the prime of life.

"They're a stoic family and they'll cope, but it's going to be a long journey."

Witness Callum Smythe, 18, was the first to notice the flames. 

"There was all this smoke in the backyard, I could see it," Mr Smythe said.

"I went outside, I could see where the flames were coming from, I just ran down the laneway and called the fire brigade."

Fire crews arrived within five minutes of the Triple Zero call and were able to stop the blaze spreading to the main family home.

9NEWS understands the bungalow was not fitted with smoke alarms.

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