A small Victorian town is mourning after a three-year-old boy died in a caravan fire overnight.
At about 5.50pm, a caravan was reported ablaze on Lake View Street in Boort in the state’s north.
Fire crews put out the flames, and a dead child was found inside the caravan.
The caravan went up in flames in the child’s great-grandmother’s backyard.
Locals Mary and Joe Dalozzo said neighbours rushed to put the blaze was too strong.
“I just saw a little bit of smoke, just through the trees, and I looked up and it was still little, and then by the time everyone started gathering, it just started roaring,” Ms Dalozzo said.
“There was a guy next door, he had the hose and he was trying, but the flames were just too intense.”
The local community of Boort has already started rallying, with the supermarket staying open late last night to organise food packages for the family, and the caravan park offering accommodation.
The boy’s family has been left “devastated”, family friend Donna Doyle said.
“The family are totally devastated and wrapping each other up in love and support at this time,” Doyle said.
“Words can’t describe what a small town does when a tragedy like this happens but everybody comes together.
“They’ve obviously just had Christmas and New Year’s, wonderful, amazing experiences with their family and friends, and memories to cherish forever now.”
An arson chemist was on the scene today investigating the cause of the fire.
Welfare services are in place for family, community members, and first responders.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anybody with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
