House fire ‘suspicious’, Belmont Aldi evacuated
BELMONT Aldi has been forced to throw out smoke-damaged food after a dumpster blaze on Sunday night.
City of Greater Geelong health inspectors were called to assess the High St store after the blaze caused damage to the building’s back wall. The store was evacuated about 6pm on Sunday.
CFA crews from Geelong, Belmont and Corio responded to a blaze and were on site until about 10.30pm.
A CFA spokesman confirmed the blaze was largely contained to the dumpster but said a small section of the back of the store was damaged by fire.
City of Greater Geelong director of planning and development Gareth Smith confirmed yesterday that health inspectors were called to ensure food was not contaminated.
“The City’s Environmental Health Officers have attended Belmont Aldi as a result of a fire last night,” Mr Smith said. “Any smoke-damaged food has been discarded and the business has been given approval to re-open.”
Meanwhile, fire investigators will examine an overnight house fire that damaged a vacant Bell Park property.
CFA crews were called to the Thornburn St house about 1.30am yesterday to find it fully alight.
Firefighters s took about 20 minutes to bring the blaze under control.
Geelong Senior Sergeant Joanne Jane said d the fire was being ng treated as suspicious. us.
“The property is s still a crime scene and CIU is investigating,” she said. It’s believed a vehicle had been seen casing the property ty minutes before the blaze.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.