Two of the three people killed in a fire at a factory in Melbourne have been identified as mother and daughter Tanya Burmeister and Zoe Elizabeth Burmeister.

The pair were squatting in the former Kinnears rope factory on Ballarat Road in Footscray when the owner Darren Clover allegedly set it on fire on Wednesday.

The third person in the factory at the time is yet to be identified.

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Two of three people who were killed in a fire at a factory in Melbourne have been identified as mother and daughter Tanya Burmeister (left) and Zoe Elizabeth Burmeister (right)

Zoe's aunt Shaylee Tennyson told the Herald Sun she was struggling to comprehend the loss of Zoe, who was only a few weeks away from her 16th birthday.

'Zoe was extremely loving, she had an infectious laugh, she was intelligent and she was just so beautiful,' she said.

Ms Burmeister, 32, shared an 'indescribable' bond with her daughter, Ms Tennyson said.

Darren Clover (pictured) has been charged with three counts of murder and arson

The pair were squatting in the former Kinnears rope factory on Ballarat Road in Footscray (pictured) on Wednesday when the owner Darren Patrick Clover allegedly set it on fire

On Friday the Melbourne Magistrate's Court heard Clover, who has been charged with murder and arson, has depression.

The 52-year-old did not front court on Friday and instead chose to stay in his cell.

Legal Aid lawyer Katie Powell appeared on his behalf during the Melbourne Magistrates' Court filing hearing, saying there were 'significant concerns' her client would harm himself in custody.

On Friday the Melbourne Magistrate's Court heard Clover, who has been charged with murder and arson, has depression. Pictured is clothing and furniture found in the factory after the fire

Clover had a formal diagnosis of depression and was taking prescription medication, Ms Powell said.

She asked for a mental health assessment to be conducted.

Police arrested Clover on Thursday after firefighters discovered the bodies of three people, believed to be squatters, in an old Footscray ropeworks factory.

The court heard police will be formatting CCTV footage related to the incident, and will be lodging forensic and DNA evidence for analysis

The factory site had been recently sold and was set to be developed into apartments.

Plans for the redevelopment had been approved by the council the night before the fire.

Police will be formatting CCTV footage related to the incident, and will be lodging forensic and DNA evidence for analysis, the court heard.

The factory site had reportedly been recently sold and was to be developed into apartments

The police prosecution asked for more time for the hand-up brief to be compiled, considering the complexity of the investigation and the severity of the alleged crimes.

No application for bail was made.

Clover is due to appear via video link for a committal mention on June 9.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.