By Belinda Nolan
THE Sunshine Police Station will be back to normal next week, with works to repair its damaged reception area well under way.
The foyer was damaged last month when an arsonist set fire to it during a brazen daylight Molotov cocktail attack. The incident caused chaos, forcing the closure of the station for several hours amid fears it was unsafe for the community.
In days following the attack, a police van set up on the footpath outside the station acted as a temporary reception facility.
Brimbank Police Inspector Michael Grainger said the fire and explosions had caused electrical and wall damage and melted a phone inside the station. He estimated the damage bill could be as high as $20,000.
Repairs began on Wednesday and are expected to take about a week. The station will remain open to the public while the works are carried out.
Insp Grainger said there was no need for extra safety precautions at the station. A 41-year-old Deer Park man has been charged over the incident.
