Lorne’s old police station in fiery end

LORNE’S former police station was gutted by fire yesterday and will be demolished.

Investigators believe a wiring fault might have started the blaze which took hold of the weatherboard structure, built about the 1940s.

A Lorne Fire Brigade spokesman said the fire was brought under control within 15 minutes after a call-out at 3.20pm, but the building, a rental residence, was beyond saving. No one was injured.

The building, on the corner of Charles and Bay streets, was detached from the former cells and police residence, which remain standing.

Leading Senior Constable Mick Atkinson of Lorne Police said Country Fire Authority officials were investigating but there were no suspicious circumstances.

Police officers shifted out of the station about 2000.

“Even though police moved out quite some time ago it was still a bit of an icon,” Leading Sen-Constable Atkinson said.

Aireys Inlet fire brigade supported Lorne volunteers.

Leading Sen-Constable Atkinson said crews did well to hold the fire. The building remained standing but would be bulldozed.