Bee attacks make Vic firefight worse

How do you make a suspicious fire in an asbestos-ridden house worse? Add some angry bees.

Firefighters in Melbourne's southeast arrived at an Aspendale home on Wednesday night to find it fully ablaze.

To make matters worse, a hive of bees buzzed outside the front door.

Edithvale CFA captain Graham Fountain says they had no choice but to push on regardless.

"We had witnesses telling us in several accounts they believed someone might be inside," he told AAP on Thursday.

"We had a hive of bees that were attacking firefighters, getting under their visors and in their pants."

A fire truck broke down on the way, there was asbestos throughout the house and squatters had left rubbish inside and out.

The fire also attracted a crowd as it was on the main road at the end of peak hour.

Mr Fountain said the firefighters' protective equipment luckily stopped them being stung.

He said the home was gutted but the crew managed to stop flames spreading to brand new houses next door.

The house had just been sold and was due to settle on Thursday.

No on was found inside.

The fire's cause is being investigated.