By Christine de Kock
THE Metropolitan Fire Brigade has issued a warning to factory owners following three suspicious and costly fires in the City of Maribyrnong last month.
Ian Hunter, MFB commander in charge of the fire investigation unit, said factory owners should minimise the risk of arson by keeping their property clean.
“If you leave wheelie bins, rubbish and paper around out the back of your shop, especially in the strip shopping centres, if the mischief makers come along and they want to have some mischief they will set fire to the rubbish,” he said.
He said people bent on destruction could always break a window and set the premises alight but it was still better to take precautions.
“Don’t leave timber or papers in close proximity where people can just take it and stack it up against a door and light it,” he said.
“The safest thing is clean up … (arsonists) are not going to bother carrying piles of wood and paper from point A to point B to light a fire, they are opportunistic.”
The most recent factory fire was at a two-storey tilt-slab building in Ashley St, Braybrook.
Arsonists set it alight by leaving a blazing wheelie bin in front of the textile shop’s window.
The fire was reported about 4.30am on Sunday 25 February, and two units were called to control the blaze.
Alex Conway, station officer with the MFB’s fire investigation and analysis unit, said the blaze resulted in about $1 million in damage.
A tyre business in Gilbert St, Braybrook, was also hit by a suspicious fire on Saturday 24 February about 4am.
Bruce Leslie, of Leslie Tyre Sales, said he had run the business for 37.
Twelve fire units and two aerial appliances were called to control the blaze, which also resulted in about $1 million in damage.
Mr Leslie said he was hopeful that he would be able to reopen his tyre business within the month.
His business supplied truck, tractor and earth-mover tyres to agricultural clients in Victoria and New South Wales.
The fire began outside the store, where second-hand tyres were stacked.
“The stock was gradually built up over the years.
“We have been trading for a long time,” he said.
“I don’t think I will ever hold as much stock ever again.”
MFB fire investigators believe arsonists were also responsible for the blaze at a Yarraville clothing factory on 3 February. Eight fire units from across Melbourne were called to control the blaze, which was said to have caused about $800,000 damage.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
