The bodies of a woman and three children have been found following a house fire in Glen Waverley, in Melbourne’s south-east.

Firefighters were called to Tulloch Grove about 1:40am on Sunday after receiving multiple calls about smoke coming from a two-storey townhouse.

Crews found the garage on the ground level well alight and the home filled with smoke.

“Sadly, a woman and three children have been located deceased at the residence and are yet to be formally identified,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

A man was able to escape and was taken to hospital with serious injuries, police said.

Fire Rescue Victoria assistant chief fire officer Costa Katsikis said crews worked hard, battling an intense blaze.

“Upon arrival they were confronted by a fierce fire, a high fire load, a very hot fire that tragically ended in the loss of four lives and one person taken to hospital with smoke inhalation,” he said.

“Our thoughts go out to the family and friends impacted by this tragic event.”

Neighbours were evacuated and it took more than two hours to bring the blaze under control.

Arson Squad detectives were called to the scene and the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Mr Katsikis said the relationship between the injured man and the other occupants was under investigation.

“The person was a male, age at this point unknown, but he was obviously nearby the fire and he’s been taken to hospital with smoke inhalation,” he told the ABC.

“The relationship with the occupants is undetermined at this point of time but more details will come to light with the investigation as it proceeds.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

–ABC