Victorian family robbed as deliberately-lit fire raged behind their home

A Victorian family was shocked to find they were robbed as they tried to fight a fire raging behind their home.

To make matters worse, police say the Carrum Downs blaze was deliberately lit, with the arsonist caught on camera fleeing the scene.

Adrian and Sarah Eden feared they’d lose everything in the blaze, but thanks to the fast actions of firefighters, their property was saved.

But the Edens soon realised a heartless thief had ransacked their family vehicle, stealing son Riley’s wallet with his $300 Christmas money.

“I was shocked that someone could do that while there was a fire out the back,” 13-year-old Riley said.

The teen had been planning to buy a bike with his Christmas funds.

Since then, the Carrum Downs community has rallied around the Edens, offering cash and bikes as replacements.

But Sarah Eden said she wants the donations to go to the firefighters who helped save her home.

“We don’t want donations, it was never what this was about,” she said.

“We’d rather [the money] go back to the community.”

Police are still hunting the arsonist involved who was caught on camera walking away from the blaze.

“He’s running into the scene, he appears to be carrying something and when he leaves, he continues north,” detective sergeant Gary Richards said.

“His behaviour is slightly erratic, in that he crosses the street on more than one occasion.”

Anyone with information on the theft or arson should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.