Stuntwoman and her daughter are killed after a fire ripped through their farmhouse near Melbourne

A highly regarded stunt woman and her young daughter have been killed after a horror fire tore through their farm house. Deirdre Naughton, 42, and her 10-year-old daughter Leela were caught in the blaze late on Sunday night at their home nearTallarook, around 90km north of Melbourne.

A highly regarded stunt woman and her young daughter have been killed after a horror fire tore through their farm house.

Deirdre Naughton, 42, and her 10-year-old daughter Leela were caught in the blaze late on Sunday night at their home near Tallarook, around 90km north of Melbourne.

A team of about 40 firefighters spent two hours trying to extinguish the inferno but the pair were tragically unable to be saved.

It's believed the fire erupted from an electrical fault inside the home.

Tributes have since poured in for the stunt woman who had worked in the production industry for more than 20 years featuring in films like Rogue, Knowing, I, Frankenstein and Australian television series The Saddle Club and Neighbours.

Deirdre Naughton, 42, (pictured) and her 10-year-old daughter Leela were caught in the blaze late on Sunday night at their home near Tallarook, around 90km north of Melbourne

Deirdre Naughton, 42, (pictured) and her 10-year-old daughter Leela were caught in the blaze late on Sunday night at their home near Tallarook, around 90km north of Melbourne

It's understood Ms Naughton's partner Clint Dodd, who is also involved in the film industry, was interstate at the time of the tragedy and has since returned home.

The 42-year-old's mother who was staying near the property saw the house go up in flames and immediately phoned emergency services.

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Neighbours reported hearing explosions from inside the house with detectives investigating whether fireworks used on film sets had been inside.

But family members say the explosions were likely from gas bottles, Seven News reported.  

Ms Naughton's daughter had attended the local Tallarook Primary School.

Tributes have since poured in for the stunt woman who had worked in the production industry for more than 20 years featuring in films like Rogue, Knowing, I, Frankenstein and Australian television series like The Saddle Club and Neighbours

Tributes have since poured in for the stunt woman who had worked in the production industry for more than 20 years featuring in films like Rogue, Knowing, I, Frankenstein and Australian television series like The Saddle Club and Neighbours

Members from the country town and firefighters involved in tackling the blaze gathered together at the local hall on Tuesday night to remember the mother and daughter.

Ms Naughton's former agent, Vicki Marks from Action Stunts Australia, described the mother as a 'shining star' who was loved by everyone.

'She could make you laugh even if you didn’t want to,' she said in a statement to Daily Mail Australia.

'Dee was a champion for the female stunt performers and was passionate about the women in the stunt industry having a voice.

'In later years when she had Leela her family became her world. She was a devoted mother and partner.'

Ms Marks said as a stunt woman there was always the risk of injury but she was unable to fathom such a tragedy as what happened to Ms Naughton and Leila.  

'What we do is dangerous and there is always that element of risk even though we take every precaution to make it safe and risk free,' she said.

'But this tragedy is not something that you expect or are prepared for. We are all shocked and heartbroken.

'She will be sadly missed but never forgotten.' 

A GoFundMe page has since been set up to help Mr Dodd and the family recover. 

The 42-year-old mother was a well respected stunt woman featuring in films and live action shows around the world

The 42-year-old mother was a well respected stunt woman featuring in films and live action shows around the world

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