Police are hunting three men who crashed a stolen car into a Sunshine North home on Friday, causing the side of the house to catch fire.
The driver of a Honda Accord without number plates lost control of the car in Suffolk Road about 5.15pm.
Detective Sergeant Andrew Taylor told Channel Nine that witnesses saw the men flee the scene.
“To know that you’ve caused this carnage and then to be only concerned with fleeing the scene to avoid apprehension, is just abhorrent,” he said.
Metropolitan Fire Brigade spokesman Trevor Woodward said the car hit the side of the house and struck a gas meter, sparking a fire.
.@VictoriaPolice want to speak to this man, after a stolen car crashed into a Sunshine North home. #9News #9Newscomau pic.twitter.com/N2EpjlDWcY
— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) August 16, 2014
‘‘Leaking gas from the meter soon ignited setting fire to both the house and the car,’’ he said.
‘‘The three young persons in the car all managed to get out of the vehicle and then absconded from the scene.
‘With the blazing car sitting on top of the gas meter it was impossible to shut off the gas supply until the arrival of the gas company.”
The gas main was eventually turned off after the supplier dug up the nature strip.
A woman inside the home at the time of the blaze managed to escape and was treated for smoke inhalation.
Damage to the house is estimated at about $75,000.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
