Firefighters tackle Carnegie unit fire

Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) crews responded to reports of an apartment fire in Poplar Grove, Carnegie this morning following multiple calls to Triple Zero (000) around 4.07am.

Firefighters arrived on scene within seven minutes to find an apartment fully involved in fire on the first floor of a two-storey brick block of flats, approximately 50 x 10 metres.

Crews, wearing breathing apparatus worked swiftly to prevent the fire spreading to neighbouring units although the unit was extensively damaged.

One male occupant jumped from the window to escape the blaze and suffered leg injuries and smoke inhalation. The patient was transported to hospital by ambulance.

Approximately 40 people safely evacuated the two-storey brick apartment building.

The incident was deemed under control at 4.57am.

Victoria Police was on scene in support of FRV operations.

The council was notified, and a building inspector attended the scene.

Nine appliances and 26 firefighters responded to the fire.

FRV Specialist Fire Investigators will be attending this morning to determine the cause of the fire.

UPDATE 11.35am: The fire has been deemed suspicious, with the scene handed to Victoria Police for further investigation.