Camp fire may have caused Vic park blaze

Firefighters have spent the night monitoring a massive grassfire that threatened homes in Melbourne.

Firefighters have spent the night monitoring a massive grassfire that ripped through parklands and threatened homes in Melbourne.

A large grassfire that roared through a park in suburban Melbourne and burned close to homes is believed to have been caused by an out-of-control campfire.

The fast-moving blaze broke out at Cheltenham Park on Wednesday and spread quickly, charring graves at a cemetery and coming close to a primary school.

It also reached the back fences of nearby homes before it was contained by nearly 100 firefighters and four water-bombing aircraft.

There were chaotic scenes as residents evacuated 40 homes, while heavy smoke billowed into the sky.

One local woman fled with her three cats tied to lengths of rope while others remained at home equipped with garden hoses.

The blaze was brought under control around 5.30 pm and residents returned to homes about two hours later.

Police continue to investigate but the fire is not considered suspicious.

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade remains on scene and the local council is yet to assess the damage to the park or cemetery.