By JASON TURNER
POLICE are ‘‘disturbed’’ that a spike in suspected arson cases in Greater Dandenong has coincided with the recent heatwave.
Authorities fought five separate fires last Friday, as temperatures pushed 40 degrees.
In the most severe incident, a grass fire in Dandenong South came perilously close to a new housing estate and factories, and forced the closure of the Dandenong Bypass for six hours (CLICK HERE for full story and pictures).
Acting Detective Sergeant Luke Kirton of Dandenong police said the suspiciously-lit fire started in Obec Mews and burnt through up to 10 acres of grassland.
‘‘It was lucky the CFA did such a great job extinguishing the fire as quickly as they did with the resources they had… otherwise factory areas would have been in jeopardy,’’ Detective Sergeant Kirton said.
Police are seeking witnesses to this fire and several other, all started last Friday including:
– 3.45am: Four drunken youths are believed to have started a fire on the roundabout at intersection of Cleeland and Herbert streets, Dandenong.
– 12pm: Police patrol spots a garden bed on fire at the Dandenong RSL, Clow Street, Dandenong.
– 12.30pm: Someone set fire to an old TV set in the backyard of a vacant house in Grace Park Avenue, Springvale. CFA crews extinguished fire before large-scale damage was caused.
– 3.45pm: A neighbour reported smelling smoke from a property in Aberdeen Drive, Dandenong North. CFA extinguished fire to a fence.
Police and CFA also attended another fire yesterday, outside the Astra Billiards premises in Round Tower Road, Dandenong South, where a palm tree was set on fire and completely destroyed.
Detective Sergeant Kirton said the spike in cases was concerning, particularly given the sweltering temperatures.
‘‘A fire doesn’t just start itself – it needs some cause of ignition,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ve seen the devastation of what fire can cause over the last few years… and we need to send a message out.’’
He called on the public to be mindful of the warm conditions and be careful even when disposing of cigarette butts.
‘‘If people are found to be recklessly causing a bushfire, whether deliberately or not, they will face the same charges.’’
Acting Sergeant Kirton has asked for any community help in catching the offenders: ‘‘We can’t be everywhere at once and it helps protect their own community.’’
Anyone with any information of the above incidents should call Crime Stoppers, 1800 333 000 or online at crimestoppers.com.au.
