Above: Victoria Police officers investigate the fire.Picture: Stewart Chambers.By Callan Date
POLICE are treating as suspicious a fire at the Endeavour Hills Child Minding Centre on Monday which caused damage with a repair bill estimated of about $500,000.
The blaze ripped through the Merryn Court property about 1am and destroyed a large section of the centre’s roof.
Extensive damage was also caused to several other rooms and property.
Devastated staff sat outside the smouldering rubble waiting for news only hours after the fire had been extinguished.
Police, fire investigators and insurance officials were also on scene for most of the day.
Police said the driver of a white van, which was seen taking off at high speed soon after the fire, was a key to the investigation.
Merryn Court resident Martyn, who did not want his surname to be published, said he heard two alarms sound during the night.
“The first alarm went off and I thought nothing of it,” he said.
“Then a different-sounding alarm went off and I went out to my lounge room to have look and I saw this big orange glow and heard this big whoosh.
Martyn said he then called emergency services.
“I saw this set of headlights drive out,” he said.
“It was an old white-coloured van. It sounded like the driver was in a hurry because the engine was revving loudly.”
Casey Criminal Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Larry Grimshaw said initial reports indicated an accelerant had been found among the ruins.
“We have sent samples off to forensics. At this stage the fire is being treated as suspicious,” he said.
Det Sgt Grimshaw said the driver of the van may have vital information.
“We are keen to speak to the driver,” he said.
He said he believed the fire was unrelated to a string of deliberately lit blazes which occurred in the Berwick area earlier this year.
“That is more vandalism as opposed to serious criminal damage,” he said.
Det Sgt Grimshaw said several other day care centres were caring for the children from the Endeavour Hills facility until permanent day care arrangements could be made.
Hallam Fire Brigade media liaison officer Audrey Corcoran said crews had to remove a section of fencing to gain access to the fire.
“Initial crews attacked the fire internally; however these crews were withdrawn when the roof of the building started to collapse,” she said.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
