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Car boot body identified

The burnt body found in a car boot at Diggers Rest last week has been identified as Footscray man Kenan Balikel. The 42-year-old’s charred remains were found in the car on the Bulla-Diggers Rest Road. Homicide squad Detective Senior Sergeant Stuart Bailey said Mr Balikel was identified through fingerprint records. Information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Dog saved from fire

A West Footscray man was hospitalised after rescuing his dog from a house fire. A couple in their 20s were asleep in their Stanhope Street home when woken by an alarm at 12.30am on Monday. The man suffered smoke inhalation and burns to his shoulder after heading back into the fire to save his dog, Diesel. The fire caused damage valued about $150,000.

Just picture this …

A hot-air balloon made a rare precautionary landing in the Footscray town hall carpark early on Monday. Picture This Ballooning chief executive Damian Crock said the landing was routine, and reports of a near-miss with power lines were untrue.

Remember November 11

Hobsons Bay libraries will commemorate Remembrance Day and the centenary of WWI with a talk by award-winning historian and biographer Dr Ross McMullin on his book, Farewell, Dear People, from 2-3pm on Tuesday at Williamstown. Book at 1300 462 542.