'Rest easy': Family mourn man killed in Melbourne fire

Loved ones have paid tribute to a man killed in a unit fire in Melbourne's south-east.

Chris Cain, 53, died when a fire tore through the unit on Chesterville Road at Highett at about 7.45pm yesterday.

A neighbour ran into the inferno and was able to rescue Mr Cain's 80-year-old mother, Maggie, who desperately tried to get to her son.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze but found the man dead inside.

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Mrs Cain was taken to Monash Medical Centre in a stable condition after suffering from smoke inhalation.

The blaze was brought under control shortly after 8pm.

Today, Mr Cain's family spoke about their loss.

"We are all devastated, but no-one as much as our beautiful mum," the family said.

"We love you Chris, we miss you already. You will always be part of our lives, in the past and future.

"Rest easy now, baby brother."

Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked the deadly blaze, but it is not being treated as suspicious.