A SPATE of arson attacks in Melbourne’s west has sparked concerns about metre-long grass on land abutting Newport homes.
Police believe serial arsonists may be responsible for several suspicious fires across Brimbank and Moonee Valley, with at least six suspicious blazes in the Maribyrnong River valley last week.
A Newport woman, who asked not to be named, said she feared an arson attack on vacant land behind her back fence. The site, bounded by Birmingham Street and Melbourne and Blackshaws roads, has a former Caltex site and train maintenance facility.
“That whole area is dry grass . . . sometimes sparks fly off the wheels of the engines,” she said. “All this land should have been cleared well before fire season. It’s really dangerous with all the diesel, oil and fuel stored there.”
The woman said she called Hobsons Bay Council in November, but it had failed to act.
SEE: Brimbank fires picture gallery.
SEE: Sunbury fires picture gallery.
SEE: Little River fires picture gallery.
VicTrack spokeswoman Nicola Holland said the land was the rail authority’s responsibility.
“We have had contractors on site last week and [Monday] removing rubbish and vegetation,” she said. “While the grass on the site is slashed regularly, the removal of the rubbish will make it easier for contractors. We will assess whether the grass needs further cutting once the site is cleared of rubbish.”
Three fires were lit in the Sunshine North industrial estate on Wednesday night. MFB district commander Bob Undy, who attended them, said more than $20,000 damage was caused. “The lives of residents and firefighters are constantly being put on the line.”
On the night of last Tuesday-week, a nursing home in Sterling Drive, Keilor East, came under threat as firefighters battled three deliberately lit fires in Maribyrnong Valley parklands.
Brimbank detectives are also investigating two grassfires, in Brimbank Park and Orbital Drive, Kealba. An MFB spokesman said up to 10 hectares of grassland was burnt in Cairnlea, the fire burning to within just metres of homes on Orbital Drive. The spokesman said 23 suspicious fires had been reported at Brimbank Park in the past two weeks. Investigations continue into a fire which destroyed two cars parked on Knight Avenue, Sunshine North.
Victoria Police’s Acting Commissioner Stephen Fontana said police believed the fires in Brimbank and Moonee Valley were linked. “Due to the number of fires we believe there was more than one person lighting them.” He urged residents to report any suspicious behaviour. Information to Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.
