The cause of a fatal house fire resulting in the deaths of a father and his teenage son is being investigated as heartfelt tributes are paid to the pair, who were well-loved within their community.
Emergency services were called to a residence on Craig Road in Donvale on Saturday about 4am to reports a home was engulfed in flames.
Police and firefighters rushed to the scene to find an out-of-control blaze, discovering Calvin Reeder and his son Brendon deceased inside the home.
Police established a crime scene and are investigating the cause of the blaze but have confirmed it was not suspicious in nature.
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) Investigators deemed the fire accidental.
FRV arrived on scene to find the multi-level, brick and steel-constructed home fully involved in flames.
“Crews aggressively attacked the fire,” FRV said in a statement at about 8am on Saturday.
“The home has been destroyed by fire and the roof has collapsed.”
Neighbour and former deputy youth premier of Victoria Angelo von Möller said he was “gutted” and felt “numb” upon realising his neighbours had died in the fire.
“I am absolutely gutted. Last night we lost our neighbours. Our friend,” Mr von Möller wrote on social media.
“At around 4am this morning our neighbour’s house caught fire in Donvale. Sadly our neighbours and his son were inside and didn’t make it out. I feel so numb.”
“Our neighbour was someone we could rely on and we could help each other. He helped in the early stages, build the bones of our garden that you all know and love. When you think of a neighbour, our neighbour was the epitome of it.”
Film director and father to Angelo also expressed his sadness, revealing that young Bredndon was autistic.
“I’m deeply saddened by the news this morning that my friend and neighbour three doors down and his autistic son lost their lives to a house fire,’ he wrote.
“Mate I will miss you. Thank you for your kind help that you provided to us all. You will be greatly missed.”
Mr Reeder had previously been vocal about the dangers of illegal fireworks during bushfire season, expressing his concerns that New Year’s Eve fireworks in his area would start a bushfire and kill someone.