Crews rescue two people in Footscray

Firefighters rescued two people from an apartment balcony as a fire burned in the house next door overnight.

Crews arrived at the Barkly Street scene 3.45am, finding a single storey weatherboard house well alight.

Crews donned breathing apparatus to attack the fire. They rescued two people from the balcony of the neighbouring property.

Thick black smoke was issuing across Footscray as a result of the fire, and a community warning was issued.

Firefighters brought the scene under control at 4.20am. The property was extensively damaged by the blaze.

The fire has been deemed suspicious and Victoria Police will investigate.

Nobody was injured by the blaze.