Woman dies in Melbourne house fire

Investigators are trying to determine to cause of a house fire in Melbourne's north, which claimed the life of an elderly woman yesterday afternoon.

Firefighters were called to the Meadow Heights home at 4.10pm to find the house well alight.

It took 40 firefighters in 10 trucks about 35 minutes to get the blaze under control.

Neighbours have said the victim was a mother of five who lived alone with her dog.

Her pet was saved but fire crews were unable to reach the woman in time.

Fire investigators are still determining the cause of the blaze.