Port Adelaide defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher has had to flee his home in Glenelg East as a fire threatened to set the property aflame.

An inquiry by the police has commenced after a fire erupted in the early hours, originating from a vehicle that was ignited and rapidly spreading. 

Zerk-Thatcher and his partner, Abby, live next door to the unit where the fire started and had to evacuate along with their pets. 

“By the time we opened the door I reckon it had just got to our house, so we got our cats and ran out of there,” Zerk-Thatcher said. 

“It’s pretty scary. Definitely makes you question if it’s safe to live here.”

Emergency services arrived at the scene around 2am to combat the fire, which threatened multiple properties on Brighton Road. 

“I was just thinking hopefully the car doesn’t explode or anything. I was just hoping everyone was safe,” resident Blake Bishop said.

Another resident, Madison Bishop, reported hearing an explosion before the blaze. 

“Before I exited my van to see the fire there was an explosion and I heard patters on the top of my van, which I’m guessing was glass,” she said.

According to witnesses, individuals were seen fleeing the area shortly after the blaze began. Meanwhile, others informed 9News that they encountered a jerry can as they hurriedly escaped.

Detectives are now hunting for those responsible.