Melbourne kindergarten destroyed, church severely damaged by 'really intense fire'
A 102-year-old church which was being used as a kindergarten has been decimated after a fire ripped through the heritage building early this morning.
Fire investigators say the cause of the fire was an electrical fault.
The fire began on Punt Road in South Yarra just before 6.25am and led to homes being evacuated and hundreds of residents being warned to stay inside before it was brought under control about 8am.
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A fire has broken out at a Melbourne church in South Yarra. 9News
A large fire tore through the South Yarra building. Nine
About 60 firefighters were on scene, while a Watch and Act message was issued for people living in the nearby areas of Albert Park, Cremorne, Melbourne, Prahran, Richmond, South Melbourne, South Yarra, Windsor.
Firefighters were confronted with "a really big fire" when they arrived on scene, with the back of the church completely alight, according to Fire Rescue Victoria commander Mitch Simons.
"It was a really intense fire," he said.
"Flames were leaping up into the air quite high."
He said the rear end of the church had been extensively damaged, while the front section had mostly been saved.
The church has been extensively damaged by the fire. Nine
The church was well alight when fire crews arrived. Nine
It is believed the fire began in the church and spread to Christ Church Grammar School early learning centre, which has been destroyed by the blaze.
School principal Neil Andary said the building had only recently been renovated.
Andary said it was a terrible outcome for the whole community.
"Situations like this are always sad for any community," he said.
"There is a grieving process now."
The nearby South Yarra Primary School is believed to have been protected from the fire.
Simons said two minor injuries were sustained as the fire was contained, with a firefighter suffering a hand injury from a burst hose and another facing heat stress.
Anyone within a one-kilometre radius of the fire, which involves a very built-up residential and commercial area, was warned that embers were being emitted from the fire.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Punt Road, South Yarra is closed in both directions between Toorak Road and Commercial Road due to a nearby building fire.
Motorists are being advised to use St Kilda Road or Chapel Street instead.
The back of the church has been burnt out. Nine
The scene of the fire. Nine
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