Vic murder accused says dead man lit fire

A man charged with murder after a body was found in a Melbourne garage claims the dead man started the fire, a court has heard.

Fairfield man Collin Thomas, 32, was charged with murder and arson after the body of a 49-year-old man was found by his parents following an explosion and fire in the garage of their Malvern East property in April.

Thomas' lawyer Garth Fitzmaurice on Monday told the Melbourne Magistrates Court he wanted to engage his own arson expert and pathologist before progressing the case.

He said Thomas believed the dead man started the fire and there was a dispute about the point of ignition.

The court heard the prosecution's report did not state where the fire started in the garage.

A pathologist would study the dead man's injuries and determine whether he could have been moving when the blaze began, Mr Fitzmaurice said.

The court also heard Thomas had made a plea offer to prosecutors but it was rejected.

Mr Fitzmaurice said Thomas wanted to talk to his brother, who lived in New Zealand, before deciding whether he would make another offer.

Thomas will face a contested committal hearing on November 10.

Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg said that would leave plenty of time for Mr Fitzmaurice to engage expert witnesses.