CCTV captures moment man sets fire to Docklands nightclub ATET

Dramatic CCTV footage from inside the controversial floating nightclub ATET at the Docklands has captured the moment a man set it alight in what police believe was a paid arson attack.

Dramatic CCTV footage from inside controversial nightclub ATET captures the moment a man douses the dancefloor with petrol and sets fire to the venue – after police suspect he was paid to carry out the hit.

The floating club, located in Victoria Harbour at Docklands, was engulfed by flames in the early hours of January 31, 2023, following months of fierce backlash from locals.

Jemli Williams Mariner, 33, from Lalor, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last week where he was committed to stand trial on a charge of arson.

Court documents obtained by the Herald Sun, which outline the allegations against Mr Williams Mariner, reveal that police suspect the fire at the nightclub – which has since been shut down – was lit “in exchange for a cash payment or similar”.

The footage captures the fire taking hold. Picture: Supplied

CCTV footage shows two men arrive at the pontoon at 4.19am before one of them – alleged to be Mr Williams Mariner – removes six water bottles from his backpack and pours out the contents around the dancefloor, bar and seating area.

Minutes later, the man ignites the fire with what appears to be a cigarette lighter.

An arson chemist examined the crime scene and noted the fire was “assisted by the presence of petrol”, with evaporated petrol detected on three samples.

The blaze is estimated to have caused more than $350,000 worth of damage.

A man douses the floor with an accelerant. Picture: Supplied

Access records from the Melbourne Markets in Epping, where Mr Williams Mariner works, show he left at 2.59am on the night of the fire.

It is alleged he travelled to Docklands via CityLink in a white Ford – previously registered in his name and currently registered to his partner – before parking near Harbour Esplanade.

According to the court documents, Mr Williams Mariner answered a call on his phone at 3.42am, with the transmission coming from a tower in West Melbourne.

“The movements of that mobile phone … on January 31 were completely out of character when compared to other movements by that service,” the documents allege.

The fire is estimated to have caused more than $350,000 worth of damage. Picture: Supplied

Mr Williams Mariner was charged in July almost 18 months on from the suspicious fire and denied any involvement during his record of interview.

Detective Senior Constable Daniel Sanderson told the court a rough sleeper with the moniker the ‘Devil of Docklands’ had previously threatened to burn down the venue.

Mr Sanderson said the man came aboard during a media walk-through of the ruined bar on February 8, 2023, and boasted that someone must have been inspired by him.

“I actually threatened to burn this place down and it actually burnt down coincidentally,” the man said at the time.

“I reckon they got the idea from me.”

But Mr Sanderson said the man was “ruled out” as a suspect.

“He did not match the physical appearance of the two males who lit the fire,” he said.

ATET managed to reopen within a fortnight of the fire. Picture: Supplied

Two screenshots allegedly found on the accused’s phone show maps of the Docklands area, however Mr Sanderson conceded no correspondence was found on his phone about ATET.

His defence barrister Sai Ranjit asked whether police had any direct evidence against his client.

“It’s circumstantial what you’re saying, isn’t it?” he asked.

“Correct,” Mr Sanderson replied.

But Magistrate Felicity Broughton last Monday committed Mr Williams Mariner to stand trial, saying she was satisfied the evidence was of “sufficient weight” to support a conviction.

The court heard the trial is expected to run over five to seven days.

ATET was opened in October 2022.

ATET managed to reopen within a fortnight of the fire after dozens of volunteers offered to help the owners with the clean-up and the rebuild.

Founder Jake Hughes opened the venue in October 2022 to rival other floating venues, such as Arbory Afloat and Yarra Botanica.

But despite its popularity with partygoers, the nightclub – which faces thousands of apartments – copped community backlash, with residents complaining they were being blasted with loud music into the early hours of the morning.

The City of Melbourne terminated ATET’s operating licence in June 2023 following these complaints, but the owners launched legal action in December that year, alleging the licence was wrongfully terminated.

Mr Williams Mariner will face the County Court for a directions hearing on March 17.

Originally published as CCTV captures moment man sets fire to Docklands nightclub ATET