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Vic home burned, warning note left

A threatening note with Islamic themes has been found attached to the fence of a Melbourne house that was deliberately set on fire.

The vacant house in George Street, Doncaster, was to be sold at auction on Saturday but it was extensively damaged in the blaze, lit about 10pm on Friday.

The note - printed on an A4 piece of paper - included symbols associated with the Islamic religion and the phrase "Allahu Akbar" or "God is Greatest".

"Only the beginning more to come here or homeland, your next move will determine our next attack ... We strike above the neck," the note also warned.

Victoria Police Senior Sergeant Tim Hardiman said the note would undergo a forensic examination.

"There were some comments written in that note which we do have some concern about. But at this stage we're not treating it as anything other than a house fire and an arson," Sgt Hardiman told reporters.

"We're unsure as to the origins and we'll be making those relevant inquiries over the coming days.

"What we do ask is ... this is quite a busy street and it was 10pm on a Friday night, and we're hoping that anyone who may have seen anything would contact Crime Stoppers."

Sgt Hardiman said the arson squad was yet to determine how the fire was started.

He said police were speaking to the home's owners and there were permits in place to build three new homes on the block.

"I understand it can be alarming for people in the vicinity. What I can say is Victoria Police is here to protect everyone in the community regardless of race or religion."