An elderly couple have been taken to hospital suffering from minor smoke inhalation after a fire engulfed their Beaumaris home in Melbourne’s south.

The couple noticed an issue with their electricity supply shortly before the blaze started in a garage about 9.30pm on Saturday night, and quickly spread through their two-storey home.

The man managed to escape but firefighters had to rescue the woman who had become trapped in a small courtyard behind the house.

Both are believed to be in their 80s and were taken to Alfred Hospital.

MFB Commander Bruce Pickthall said the courtyard was surrounded by a very high fence.

“While the fire was still going at the front of the house at the garage, the crews were confronted with this lady in a very dangerous situation,” Commander Pickthall said.

“They had to disregard the fire and get a few ladders around the back and assist the lady…before they could tackle the fire.

“Had she not been able to exit the courtyard she would have been in a very precarious position.”

Firefighters managed to save neighbouring properties but believe the fire caused about $300,000 damage.

Suspicious fire at Sunbury school

Meanwhile, a fire that broke out at Salesian College in Sunbury, north of Melbourne, is being treated as suspicious.

It started in an administration building and a coach parked outside just before 8am.

It took 45 firefighters half-an-hour to bring the flames under control.

The CFA said the damage was contained to two rooms and a hallway, although there was extensive smoke damage in other parts of the building.