The three men aged 30, 24 and 22 were unable to escape from the front bedroom, as the blaze spread quickly and there was little the fire fighters could do to save them, said Fire Brigade authorities.

The bodies of two of the men were found at the back of the house once crews had extinguished the flames. The third victim was found a short time later in the hall, they said.

However, a man, a woman and their daughter managed to escape the fire unharmed, they said.

A detective from the Victorian state Police arson squad said the dead men were Indian students studying in Australia for about two years. Police were contacting the victims' families in India, he added.

"Words can't describe how tragic this incident is, not only for the deceased (trio's) friends and family, but for emergency services, the people who attend," he said.

Cause of the fire was still being investigated, the detective said.