Ballarat house fire: three feared dead after blaze destroys home

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Three people are feared dead following a house fire in Victoria.

Neighbours called emergency services after hearing an explosion and seeing flames at the house in Mount Helen, near Ballarat, about 1.30am on Friday.

The fire was extinguished, but the house was completely destroyed.

The two women, aged 21 and 43, and a 21-year-old man who lived in the house are missing.

Police said the house would be searched as soon as it has been made safe for firefighters and police to enter.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.