Molotov cocktail: Malvern East family’s home attacked

A QUIET night in watching TV turned to horror for a Malvern East family when a Molotov cocktail sailed over their second-storey balcony – and police said it could easily have ended in tragedy.

A MALVERN East family is lucky to be alive after an arson attack at their home.

The couple and their 18-year-old daughter were in their Carrum St home watching television when they glimpsed a Molotov cocktail sail over the ledge of their second-floor balcony and burst into flames about 9.30pm on Monday, August 27.

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Stonnington Acting Sergeant Mick Harkin said it was likely a case of mistaken identity because he believed the family were not the intended victims.

“I’m tipping they weren’t the intended target,” he said. “If it hadn’t have been for them sitting and watching it come over the balcony, it could have been a hell of a lot worse.”

The family were able to put out the flames straight away and emergency services were called. No one was injured and only minor damage was caused to the property.

Act Sgt Harkin said the Molotov cocktail, made out of a wine bottle filled with petrol and with a rag stuffed into the top, had been seized and investigations continued to identify the culprit.

The incident followed a blaze just days earlier that severely damaged a Fraser St home in Middle Park which was set to go under the hammer the same day, August 25. It is believed to have been accidental.

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