Fires have destroyed two homes and damaged a car wrecking yard over night.

Investigators today returned to Molendinar to try and determine the cause.

Teagan Sydes reports.

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Police are investigating a fire that engulfed a car wrecking yard at the Gold Coast last night.

The blaze broke out just before 11pm and quickly spread to a neighbouring business.

Karl Nihot, Qld Fire Service: “We had a very strong westerly wind blowing that was forcing embers into the complex which was a major exposure for us.”

It took two hours to bring the fire under control and another three to put it out.

Crews were able to extinguish another blaze which started at a building materials warehouse close by.

In Sydney’s inner west, a house fire forced 20 people to evacuate.

It started on the top level of the two story home just before 7pm.

Two people were treated for smoke inhalation.

And in Melbourne, a family has escaped another fire which destroyed their hundred-year-old property.

It’s believed the blaze started in the roof space just after midnight and spread while the family was sleeping.

The father woke just in time to get every one out.

Andrew O’Connell, Melbourne Fire Brigade: “The smoke detectors activated quite early into the fire that alerted the residents to the fact that there was a problem in their premises and they quickly called the emergency services.”

The family had moved into the home about a year ago.

Teagan Sydes, QUT News.