PAINTED windows may have prevented the earlier discovery of a fire which caused “moderate” damage to Richmond and Bennison lawyers, Main St, Mordialloc, Friday 15 April.
A street sweeper and a passing coffee van operator said they could smell smoke about 4am but couldn’t determine where it was coming from. It was not until 7am that the fire’s location was established and fire crews alerted.
About 10 CFA and MFB fire trucks arrived soon after.
Police said the offenders had set fire to a number of areas on the ground floor.
An arson chemist attended the scene later that day, describing the fire as “suspicious”.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 20 April 2016