Fire sparks rumours

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Fire sparks rumours

 

POLICE quashed rumours about an arrest being made following a house fire in Cape Paterson on Monday.

The Wheeler Road house was still standing when the fire was extinguished, but was completely gutted by the flames.

CFA units were called from Wonthaggi and Inverloch at 5pm, but the house could not be saved.

However, firefighters were able to protect neighbouring properties from any damage and no one was injured.

“On arrival, our immediate action was to protect the neighbours,” Wonthaggi CFA captain Kim O’Connor said.

“We also had to be careful of the asbestos issue. The house was fully clad with asbestos, including the roof, so we had to take particular caution.”

The fire was extinguished within 45 minutes and an investigation was underway. Though it was treated as suspicious, Mr O’Connor does not believe there was any link to the string of arsons in Wonthaggi.

Bass Coast detectives enlisted the assistance of specialist arson investigators to determine the cause of the fire, but nothing has been determined and no arrests have been made.

“There has been much public conjecture that a person was arrested regarding this fire. This is incorrect. Detectives have spoken to many witnesses and will continue to canvas others in order to complete their investigation,” Wonthaggi’s Senior Sergeant Steve Gibson said.

“There is considerable rumouring in the community that many of the public are aware of who has been starting the large number of deliberately lit fires in the South Wonthaggi region.

“If any person has information to this effect, I would implore them to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the Wonthaggi Police Station for the Bass Coast Crime Investigation Unit.

“The lighting of a fire takes only seconds and destroys much of the evidence. It is only with concerted public assistance that these crimes can be solved.”

Senior Sergeant Gibson said at this time of year – with dry fuel loads and weather conditions – everyone was at risk of fire and should be cautious.

“I am appealing to the general community to assess the risks of any activity which has the capacity to generate fire, particularly on extreme fire danger days,” he said.

“As recently as Christmas Day, a small fire started in Wimbledon Heights through the use of a kettle barbecue. Luckily no serious damage was caused. Yesterday, a carelessly discarded cigarette butt from a vehicle ignited a roadside fire at Ryanston. Again, no property damage was caused.

“It is only through public assistance, both in coming forward with information and being careful and vigilant, that we can get through this fire season without catastrophe.”

Senior Sergeant Gibson urged the public not to use grinding, welding or cutting equipment on extreme day or in areas a spark might cause a fire.

He also warned against driving vehicles on to dry vegetation, as a hot motor can ignite a fire in hot conditions.

Up in flames: a house on Cape Paterson’s Wheeler Road was gutted by fire on Monday afternoon. Photo: Facebook.

Up in flames: a house on Cape Paterson’s Wheeler Road was gutted by fire on Monday afternoon. Photo: Facebook.

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Posted by on Dec 30 2015. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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