An elderly man has been found dead in his home following a ferocious fire in Melbourne's north-east.

Fire crews were called to the single story house on Mountain View road in Briar Hill just after 10pm yesterday, following calls to Triple Zero call stating fears for a man in the weatherboard house.

A heavy fuel load of mattresses and other items piled inside caused the fire to engulf the property's roof and forced firefighters to attack the blaze only from the outside.

It's believed the victim may have been a hoarder. Picture: 9NEWS (nine)

The property has now been cordoned off by police and the fire is being treated as suspicious. Picture: 9NEWS (Nine)

The fire is believed to have started in one of the front rooms, between where the man was found deceased and the front door, which investigators believe was his only escape route.

"When the firebrigade arrived, obviously, they would have been hopeful that he wasn’t there. Unfortunately when they got through they were able to find the body," Det. Glen Hatton of Victoria Police telling 9NEWS.

The coroner has removed the body of the man this morning.

Billy Jin, who owns the post office next door described the man as a quiet, polite man, who was known for catching the bus.

When firefighters arrived on the scene the house was fully engulfed by flames. Picture: 9NEWS (nine)

"He's a very nice guy. Always very polite. Always says hello. I’m very sad to see this actually," Mr Jin said.

Neighbours said the home had been run down for years, so-much-so that it was a known target for vandals.

Power had not been connected to the dilapidated home for quite some time. Neighbours knew that elderly man had been relying on a generator and portable heater to keep warm during winter.