By JASON TURNER
A FIRE destroyed a Springvale home and damaged two others last Monday evening.
Nine CFA crews from Springvale, Keysborough and Dandenong were called to reports of a blaze in the backyard of the Elaine Court house at 5.30pm.
When crews arrived, the home was well alight with the fire threatening nearby properties.
Despite initial fears of someone being trapped inside, everyone was accounted for.
One house was destroyed and another had fire damage. Crews were required to use breathing equipment in their efforts to contain the fire to the two homes, with a third property receiving some smoke damage.
Senior station officer Barry Nash of Springvale fire brigade said thick black smoke, from a heavy fuel load on the property, hampered efforts.
The Environment Protection Authority was called in to deal with a large amount of soap-making chemicals found in the backyard of the destroyed house.
Crews were at the scene until about midnight.
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