Suspicious Fire Destroys Converted Factory in Spotswood
Quick Look
- A suspicious fire destroyed a converted factory in Spotswood, Melbourne overnight.
- 50 firefighters battled the blaze, which caused extensive damage and forced evacuations.
- Police are investigating after witnesses reported seeing people flee the scene in a ute.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
A converted factory in Spotswood, Melbourne, was destroyed by a fire reported shortly after 2:30 am. The blaze took 50 firefighters over two hours to extinguish and caused extensive damage, affecting neighboring buildings. Victoria Police are investigating the fire as suspicious after witnesses reported seeing people flee the scene in a ute.
A converted factory in Spotswood has been destroyed by a suspicious fire.
The blaze was reported just after 2:30am and took 50 firefighters more than two hours to extinguish.
Victoria Police said people were seen fleeing the scene in a ute.
Police are investigating a suspicious fire at a converted factory in a Melbourne suburb overnight.
Fire crews were called to Hudsons Road in Spotswood just after 2:30am to find the building well alight.
Several neighbouring buildings were also affected by the blaze, which was extinguished at about 4:45am and caused extensive damage.
Victoria Police said people were seen fleeing the scene in a utility vehicle.
Nobody was hurt but nine people were evacuated from nearby premises.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Greg Christison from Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) said 50 firefighters were brought in to battle the "intense" blaze.
"We've had a pretty significant fire take hold in that initial building. Our firefighters have worked extremely hard to bring that fire under control," he said.
"Unfortunately the initial premises where the fire has been reported has been completely lost and we've had some fire extension into some of the neighbouring premises.
" At this stage we're treating the fire as suspicious and we'll work through with Victoria Police and our fire investigation team to determine the cause and the nature of the origin of the fire. "
Residents in the Spotswood are have been advised to close doors and windows and turn off heating and cooling systems due to the smoke.
FRV said the building contained asbestos and that firefighters were implementing decontamination procedures.
Police have established a crime scene and say the investigation is ongoing.
Open Questions
- What caused the fire?
- Who was seen fleeing the scene and in what capacity?
- What is the extent of the damage to neighboring buildings?
- What is the estimated cost of the damage?
