Above and below right: Firefighters control the blaze. By Sarah Thompson
POLICE investigating a warehouse fire that financially crippled a Dandenong South businessman have not ruled out speculation that the blaze may be suspicious.
Forty firefighters and 11 fire trucks extinguished the fire, which burned hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of used goods and second-hand cars in the Heart Street warehouse.
Fire investigators on scene had difficulty determining the cause of the blaze because the privately owned warehouse was stacked to the roof with an array of used goods, including refrigerators, gas bottles, paint thinners and tools.
Star spoke to the business owner, who wanted to remain anonymous because of death threats he said he received before the fire.
“I can only speculate, but I suspect it’s arson,” he said.
Dandenong Police Detective Senior Constable Corey DeSilva did not rule out the owner’s suspicions.
“It is still under investigation but the cause has not been determined and it may still be suspicious,” he said.
Despite losing the 32-year-old business, the owner said he was trying to remain positive.
Miraculously, the contents of a thick wooden desk at the front of the building, which included the deed to the warehouse, survived the fire.
Neighbouring warehouse owners have banded together to provide labour, materials and warehouse space to the man, who said Greater Dandenong Council had given him 30 days to clear the site at an estimated personal cost of $30, 000.
With no insurance, the 48-year-old owner, who suffers from chronic fatigue, believes his employment opportunities are very limited.
He said he was thankful for the help offered by the Dandenong business community.
“Close neighbouring companies are paying for the fencing. The owner of Gen Service next door is supplying wire for the gates and Billy from J Prestige Automotive is supplying labour, poles and equipment to do the fence,” he said.
Dandenong CFA operations officer Trevor Owen said the fire contained a lot of heat, causing numerous cylinders to explode and putting surrounding businesses in danger.
“The fire brigade did very well to prevent the fire spreading to the north and south of the building,” he said.
According to the owner, surrounding businesses suffered from light spot fires and soot damage.
