Cold results in Vic heating, chimney fires

As a cold front moves across Victoria, Melbourne's fire service is urging residents to check their chimneys and heaters after firefighters put out three heating-related blazes in 40 minutes.

Three properties have been damaged this weekend by fires which began in chimneys and flues, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade says.

It is reminding residents to check their flues are installed properly and sweep their chimneys regularly when heating their homes in the cold weather.

Temperatures in Melbourne dipped to 5C on Sunday morning with an expected top of 12C, making it the second coldest capital in the country after Canberra.

Snow is also possible in some of Melbourne's outer suburbs and is forecast to fall down to 500 metres in alpine areas.