Arson probe as city hit by string of fires

DETECTIVES are investigating a suspicious fire that engulfed the front door and hallway of a Corio home on a night of blazes across Geelong.

Geelong Inspector Gary Bruce said police believe the fire started when a person set the doorstep on fire about 3.30am yesterday.

The blaze was the last in a series of fires attended by firefighters yesterday.

Corio Fire Brigade operations officer Pat Geary said firefighters were called to a small Newtown construction site fire at 2.27am, a car fire in O’Connell St, Geelong West, at 2.55am, a yard fire in Hamlyn Heights at 3.04am and the house fire at 3.37am.

When firefighters arrived at the property in Michigan St, Corio, flames could be seen engulfing the front door.

Mr Geary said 14 firefighters took about 20 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

Inspector Bruce said the fire had damaged the hallway of the house and its cause was being investigated by an arson chemist. The resident was not home at the time.

The series of fires came after more than 30 firefighters worked for close to two hours to contain a large fire at a Marshall scrapyard on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Geary said investigators believe an out-of-control burnoff quickly spread throughout the yard consuming several cars and piles of tyres.

He said the fire was a reminder for residents to monitor burn-offs.

“We are getting a lot of burn-offs escaping, across the state,” Mr Geary said.

“Burn-offs can even burn under the ground — so it is a reminder to make sure they are contained in a safe area.”

Mr Geary also urged motorists to be aware of emergency vehicles, after drivers slowed down to “have a sticky beak” on Sunday, making it difficult for firefighters to access the blaze.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.