Detective Senior Constable Tim Chester, of Portland Criminal Investigation Unit, said the neighbour heard a noise at a nearby vacant property and noticed a man leaving about 11pm.

He then noticed flames through the kitchen window and called the fire brigade who were able to extinguish the blaze before it caused major damage.

Senior Constable Chester said it was believed the oven had been used to set fire to some cardboard which destroyed the oven of the Wellington Road property.

“If the neighbour hadn’t seen it early enough, it potentially could have burnt the house down,” he said.

Anyone who may have seen a male aged between 20 and 30 years old with a beard and wearing high-vis clothing in the area is asked to contact police.