By Casey Neill
Springvale’s Commonwealth Bank is back open following a fire attack that injured more than 20 people last November.
Area manager Christopher Beames said his team was delighted to be back in the refurbished Springvale Road premises.
“We were overwhelmed by the support we received from the community following the fire,” he said.
“We look forward to continuing to be part of such a vibrant and cohesive community, and assist local customers with all their banking needs from the brand new Springvale branch.”
The Commonwealth Bank opened a temporary pop-up branch made from shipping containers in Warwick Avenue six days after the incident, which occurred on 18 November.
Commonwealth Bank Melbourne region general manager Michelle Winzer said at the time that 15 staff were inside the bank when the “terrible event” occurred.
She said seven were taken to hospital and all had since been discharged and were recovering at home.
The bank was providing ongoing professional counselling and established a 24-hour support line at 132 221 for anyone affected, she said.
Ms Winzer said a full investigation was underway to understand what occurred but refused to comment on where in the bank the explosion occurred or whether automatic doors trapped victims inside.
Springvale man Nur Islam, 21, will answer 92 charges over the fire including conduct endangering life, criminal damage endangering life, criminal damage by fire, gross violence, intentionally causing serious injury, and recklessly causing serious injury.
He is due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 11 May.
Police allege the Rohingya asylum seeker from Myanmar set himself on fire inside the bank and injured customers and staff when the fire spread.
