Toddler killed in tragic Victorian house fire

The two-year-old boy who died in a house fire in Victoria’s south-west has been identified.

Emergency services were called to the Great Ocean Road property in Hullawarre, east of Warrnambool following reports of a blaze just before 9.15am.

The boy’s body was later discovered inside the home.

Five members of the boy’s family including an elderly grandfather, two parents and two other young children, were assessed for smoke inhalation and taken to Warrnambool Hospital. They have all since been released.

The toddler’s great uncle and Aboriginal elder Lenny Clarke told The Warrnambool Standard Yajkiehn was a lovely boy who was friendly to everyone.

“He was a jovial little fella. He was just like his father; he accepted everyone,” he said.

“He was a very lovely child. It is a terrible thing for the community and the families involved.

“We are talking about a family that is in absolute devastation and has been left absolutely homeless.

9News has been told the family was praying the boy had run to safety prior to the discovery of his body.

“The child was located in a bedroom in the house, so tragic circumstances for all involved,” Detective Senior Sergeant  David Reither said.

“We believe the fire commenced in the rear of the property somewhere,” Det Snr Sgt Reither said.

The cause of the fire is still unknown with an arson chemist yesterday attending the scene.