UPDATE, Monday, 8.30am: The cause of a fire which led to the death of two-year-old Yajkiehn Clarke at his Nullawarre home last week is not believed to be suspicious.
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Detective Sergeant Andrew Raven, of the Warrnambool police crime investigation unit, said the Victoria Police arson and explosives squad members were in charge of the case.
"Police continue to investigate the cause of the fatal fire at Nullawarre last Wednesday," he said.
"Arson squad members are still taking statements from family members.
"At this stage it does not appear the cause is suspicious. It appears there is no criminality involved," he said.
Last week: The tight-knit community of Nullawarre is mourning the loss of a "loveable and jovial" young boy who tragically died in a house fire on Wednesday.
Two-year-old Yajkiehn Clarke was found in a bedroom of his Great Ocean Road home after the blaze.
Warrnambool police Acting Inspector David Reither said emergency services were called to the house about 9.15am.
"The premises were fully involved in the fire," he said.
"It is tragic circumstances for all involved."
Two men, a woman, and two children were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation.
Indigenous elder Lenny Clarke, the boy's great uncle, said Yajkiehn was a loveable little boy that was friendly with everyone.
"He was a jovial little fella. He was just like his father (Brett), he accepted everyone," he said.
"He was a very loved child. It is a terrible thing for the community and the families involved.
"We are talking about a family that is in absolute devastation and has been left absolutely homeless.
"But there is no doubt that everyone in that community will pull together. We must stand with them, walk with them, feel their grief and see what we can all do as a community."
Yajkiehn's father Brett is a well-known local custodian of the Gunditjmara and Kirrae Whurrong people.
An arson chemist will investigate the cause of the fire.
Mr Clarke thanked emergency services for their assistance.
"This is not an easy thing to attend. It has saddened and devastated the whole community," he said.
Permission was granted by the family to name Yajkiehn Clarke.
Earlier, 4.10pm: A child has tragically died in a house fire at Nullaware.
Emergency services were called to the Great Ocean Road property following reports of a house fire just before 9.15am.
Two men, a woman, and two children were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation and have since been released.
A two year old boy was later located deceased inside the residence.
The circumstances surrounding the fire are yet to be determined and an arson chemist is attending to establish the cause.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Earlier, 1pm:
A young child is missing and five people have been hospitalised after a house fire at Nullawarre.
A CFA spokeswoman said emergency services were called to a fire on the Great Ocean Road at 9.11am on Wednesday.
She said the house was fully engulfed.
Two men, a woman, and two children have been taken to Warrnambool Base Hospital with smoke inhalation.
A police spokesman said an arson chemist would attend to establish the cause.
The fire was deemed under control about 9.30am.
The Great Ocean Road is closed in both directions. Motorists travelling south are being diverted onto Timboon-Nullawarre Road.
Emergency services are on scene directing traffic.
Earlier, 11am:
Warrnambool Highway Patrol have set up diversions on the Great Ocean Road following a house fire at Nullawarre.
Motorists travelling south on the Great Ocean Road are being diverted onto Hickeys Road.
A police spokesman said motorists were advised to avoid the area.
Firefighters are still working to quell the fire, which has been listed as under control.
An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said two adults were treated for smoke inhalation and taken by road ambulance to Warrnambool Base Hospital.
She said another adult and two children were also transported to hospital in a stable condition.
Earlier, 10.30am:
A fire has torn through a house in Nullawarre.
A CFA spokeswoman said emergency services were called to a house fire on the Great Ocean Road at 9.11am on Wednesday.
"Crews arrived shortly after and the fire was deemed under control about 9.30am," she said.
"The house is fully engulfed and is believed to be totally destroyed.
"Ambulance Victoria has attended and is treating two adults and two children. We are still trying to ascertain whether everybody is accounted for."
Three vehicles are responding from Nirranda, Allansford and Nullawarre fire brigades.
The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.
More to come.
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