Comfy Kew Apartments fire: Bow Whitford accused of arson

An enraged man allegedly set fire to a Kew apartment building, causing extensive damage and endangering the many occupants, after fighting with staff.

Comfy Kew Apartments. Photo: hotels.com

A man allegedly set fire to a Kew apartment building, causing extensive damage to its electrical system, after staff evicted him from the short-stay accommodation.

Bow Whitford, 30, was denied bail at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 30, with a magistrate saying releasing him could result in “catastrophic” damage.

Police were called to Comfy Kew Apartments on the morning of September 23 after Whitford was evicted “due to poor behaviour”.

He was allegedly verbally abusing staff over being denied access to the room he’d been staying in, and police negotiated more time for Whitford to get his stuff out of the room.

But they were called back to the Studley Park Rd apartment-hotel about 4pm after Whitford allegedly raged at staff again.

The court heard he’d apologised to staff and asked if he could continue his stay, and when he was refused said, “I’m going to kill you”.

The employee locked him out of the office before he allegedly kicked and punched its door and yelled, “I’m going to burn the whole building”.

Whitford allegedly then opened the electrical box in the foyer and set fire to the electrical cords with a lighter.

He allegedly then shut the door to the box, and retrieved a fire extinguisher, before putting out the fire.

The court heard part of the incident, including smoke billowing in the foyer, was caught on CCTV and $10,000 damage had occurred.

When he was arrested Whitford allegedly said he’d smoked ice and drank a bottle of vodka earlier.

Police told the court Whitford had put numerous guests in the building at risk of serious injury or death and had told them he planned to return to the building.

His lawyer proposed he be bailed to be supervised by the Court Integrated Service Program and live in emergency housing.

Magistrate Andrew Capell said something far worse could happen if Whitford didn’t comply with the program and his “erratic” behaviour continued out in the community.

“The damage could be catastrophic,” he said.