Man charged after ten year investigation into Liverpool council chambers fire
A man has been arrested nearly 10 years after Liverpool Council chambers was razed in suspicious circumstances, causing almost $30 million in damages. Police have confirmed they are now looking for up to six accomplices.
Liverpool
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Police are investigating up to six accomplices of a 29-year-old man charged yesterday over a suspicious fire that destroyed Liverpool Council chambers.
Milan Berber, 29, was arrested on Wednesday following a decade-long investigation into the blaze on August 15, 2010, which caused more than $27 million worth of damage.
Police allege Berber was involved in lighting the fire after breaking into the chambers on Hoxton Park Rd while in the company of others.
Berber appeared in Liverpool Local Court yesterday where the court heard the prosecution case rested on an alleged fingerprint match on the bottom of a cash register taken from the council chambers and found in nearby bushland.
Berber’s solicitor Andrew Sant applied for his release on bail and it was opposed by police prosecutors who submitted there was an unacceptable risk of Berber committing further serious offences, interfering with witnesses and failing to attend court.
The court heard Berber was aware police wanted him for questioning over the matter since February.
Magistrate Imad Abdul-Karim noted Berber had made partial admissions of being “in proximity” of the building around the time of the fire, drinking with friends, but denied police allegations made against him. His matter will return on August 17.
Police believe up to seven people were involved in the alleged arson attack.
“We received information from various sources and various avenues and that’s the number we believe were involved,” Detective chief inspector Richard Puffett told media at Parramatta Police Headquarters on Thursday.
Police have released a police sketch of another man they believe was involved in allegedly setting fire to the chambers.
The sketch is one of several people that police believe may have been at the scene of the fire and is of Mediterranean appearance, aged in his early 20s and wearing a dark-coloured hooded-jumper.
Three years ago investigators received information that the fire may have been in retaliation for a $200 council fine.
On the night of the fire, an intruder alarm was tripped at 12.35am with the building in Hoxton Park engulfed in flames soon after.
It took 80 firefighters hours to bring it under control and the building was completely destroyed.
Police allege that traces of an accelerant were found to have been used to start the fire.
“For 10 years, the arson unit have diligently reviewed new information about a possible motive for the fire and new enhanced examination techniques ultimately led to a breakthrough in the investigation,” Insp Puffett said.
“We don’t give up,” he said.
When asked about the arrested man’s reaction he said, “I can’t speak for him but I suspect he was carrying this burden for some time,” he said.
He said the offences carried a maximum 20-year jail time.
Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller congratulated police on their tireless work.
“I thank the police for never giving up on this,” Mayor Waller said. “Council has cooperated with police when requested over many years and I am encouraged that their work has led to an arrest.
“We have gone from strength to strength as an organisation since the fire, but this remains a point of sensitivity for past and current staff members.”
Police are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.