POLICE are investigating suspicious fires lit around Chelsea last week.
The first fire was started at the St Chads Bonbeach Baseball Club in the early hours of 1 February. The fire damaged the decking and was started with an accelerant, police believe.
Later that night, a fire was lit at the playground at Bicentennial Park. The slide was badly damaged.
Fire Rescue Victoria confirmed that it responded to two separate incidents overnight on 2 February. At 1.20 am they were called to Thames Promenade in Chelsea Heights, where they put out two fires. At 1.27am firefighters responded to an incident at Beazley Reserve in Chelsea Heights – a fire which started in a public toilet and extended to a playground was extinguished. FRV then handed both scenes to Victoria Police.
Overnight between 5 and 6 February, fires popped up at bins, a golf shop, and a playground at Edithvale. Police are looking into those fires too.
A CFA statement read that “three CFA units responded to a structure fire at Fraser Avenue in Edithvale at around 3:18am on 6 February. Units responded from Casey and Edithvale. Crews responded to reports of a golf shop on fire.
“Fire investigators will attend the scene today [7 February]. FRV, Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria were also called to the scene. The incident was declared safe at 4:05am,” The CFA said.
Anyone with information about the fires can assist police with their investigation by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submitting a confidential online report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 7 February 2024
