Fire on one of Melbourne's richest streets

Neighbours say no one was home when flames engulfed a luxury house in a wealthy south Melbourne suburb.

A large two-storey house on Haverbrack Avenue in Malvern was extensively damaged on Saturday night, but firefighters said they managed to save some personal possessions including photo albums.

Former residents of the exclusive street, where homes sell for well into the millions, include late ex-prime minister Sir Robert Menzies.