Boy started $200k house fire

A child playing with matches is believed to have sparked a Melbourne house fire causing up to $200,000 damage.

Firefighters were called to the Port Melbourne home just after 9am this morning.

The top floor of the two-storey residence was burnt out and the lower floor sustained water damage.

Fire authorities believe a boy playing with matches in his bedroom sparked the blaze.

The seven-year-old boy and his mother managed a safe escape.