Offenders break into Traralgon South CFA station on Keith Morgan Dr and set CFA vehicle on fire

A Latrobe Valley CFA is reeling after a “vital asset”, paid for with community donations, was stolen and destroyed.

Heartless thieves have targeted a Gippsland fire brigade and stolen a slip-on vehicle, where crews later found it destroyed by fire. Picture: CFA

Heartless thieves have devastated Gippsland volunteer firefighters, stealing a vital vehicle and setting it alight.

Police allege offenders broke into the Traralgon South CFA brigade station on Keith Morgan Dr overnight on Tuesday.

Investigators were told a white Toyota Land Cruiser CFA slip vehicle was stolen from the station and located burnt out on a dirt track off Traralgon Creek Rd about 6.45am.

“The vehicle displayed Traralgon South CFA markings and had emergency lights,” a police spokesperson said.

District 27 assistant chief fire officer Bryan Russell said the brigade was taken offline while police investigated the incident.

“The area is well resourced by local CFA and FRV stations ensuring service capability will not be affected,” Mr Russell said.

“However, to lose one of our vital assets required to protect the community is devastating, especially for our volunteer brigade members.

A CFA slip on vehicle was found burnt out near the Traralgon South CFA station on Wednesday morning. Picture: CFA

“The slip-on vehicle was brigade owned which means they worked hard to receive community donations to fund this vehicle.”

The brigade took to their Facebook page that it was “absolutely disgusting” what had happened.

“The slip on is a brigade-owned vehicle that we purchased using the generous donations from the community,” they wrote.

“The vehicle was essential for our brigade as it allows us to access remote areas where tankers cannot, and also provides a vehicle for our members to utilize for admin and training tasks.

“As well as our slip on vehicle being a write off — they (the offenders) stole and damaged a chainsaw, whipper snipper, leaf blower and filing cabinet which were all purchased using donations from our community.”

Police allege offenders broke into the Traralgon South CFA station on Keith Morgan Dr sometime between Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. Picture: CFA

A couple days later, the brigade thanked everyone for their extended messages of support.

“The response we have received on our social media and in person is humbling,” the brigade shared in another Facebook post.

“As a small brigade we never expected this amount of response.

“We would also like to thank the crews from the FRV Station 77 and Traralgon Fire Brigade who assisted with extinguishing the fire on the morning.

“At not one point did we expect to turn out and find our own vehicles on fire and the station damaged.”

The brigade confirmed they remained operational and secured.

“Our members will always be here ready — in the event we are needed,” they said.

“We are currently working through insurance claims for the slip on and our stolen/damaged equipment.

“Fortunately our vehicle and equipment is insured and we are working with our D27 team to get these replaced.”

The brigade was taken offline while police investigate the break-in. Picture: Jack Colantuono

The brigade was not financially impacted by the damages, and had received a number of messages, comments and inquiries on how people could help them.

“The brigade plans to increase our station security so if you would like to donate to the brigade, any funds would go towards this,” the brigade shared.

Donations to the Traralgon South Fire Brigade can be made here.

“We don’t expect donations, but any help would be greatly appreciated by our members,” they wrote.

“Investigators are keen to speak with anyone who witnessed the vehicle being driven between the Traralgon and Warragul areas, or with footage of the vehicle,” the police spokesperson said.

The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established and Latrobe CIU detectives are continuing to investigate the incident.

Anyone with more information, dashcam or CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000, submit a confidential report online or contact the Traralgon police station on [phone].