Elderly resident dead after fire at Victorian retirement village
An elderly man who died in a unit fire at a retirement village north of Melbourne had only moved into the property with his wife three weeks ago.
Police have confirmed the blaze, which burnt through two units at Kingsgate Village in Kilmore, is not being treated as suspicious.
The body of the 78-year-old man was found inside the partially destroyed unit by police early this morning.
READ MORE: Alcohol tax reaches 'unthinkable new heights'
The fire destroyed homes at a Kilmore retirement village. Nine
His wife managed to escape the fire physically unharmed, Acting Inspector Jaymee Cutler said.
"His wife is obviously in a fair bit of shock," she told reporters.
A couple who lived in a second unit, which was completely destroyed in the blaze, managed to escape unharmed.
The man's body was found inside by investigators. Nine
More than 22 emergency service vehicles were called to the village after the fire started about 6am.
About 40 residents evacuated themselves before firefighters arrived on the scene.
Residents of the village told 9News they heard a "huge explosion" around the time the fire started.
"It's very scary because I thought my house would definitely go," one resident said.
The fire was declared under control at 7.13am, but firefighters were still extinguishing part of the fire and blacking out hotspots at 8am.
Dozens of firefighters were called to the scene at a retirement village in Kilmore. Nine
Police and paramedics were also called to the fire. Nine
The village is located about 65km north of Melbourne's CBD.
Arson detectives remained on scene for most of the day and are still working out how the fire started.
Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
