Spurling House fires probed by detectives
A fire written off as an electrical fault in 2015 may have been a deliberate act of sabotage on a one-of-a-kind property in Brighton. A more recent blaze has raised the suspicion of detectives, who believe they could now be linked.
Inner South
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Police will probe whether a fire at the historic Spurling House in Brighton in May is linked to another fire at the heritage-listed property in 2015.
The Black St property was razed by a suspicious fire on May 16 about 2.20am and detectives now believe there might be links to the 2015 fire.
Initially the 2015 fire was put down to an electrical fault and a $1.6 million payout was made.
But the fire in May raised detectives’ suspicions that the blazes at the 131-year-old property could have been connected.
The owner of the property lost their fight with the Heritage Council to demolish the property after they said the 2015 fire had left it uninhabitable.
Heritage Victoria said the demolition would result in the complete loss of the cultural heritage significance of the house.
Spurling House is the only house designed by John Horbury Hunt in Victoria and is one of just 22 homes designed by the influential Sydney architect.
The house has since been demolished after a notice was issued by Bayside Council after the May fire.
It comes after Bayside Council made the decision a week ago to undertake a heritage study in the area to identify homes to be heritage listed and do away with their current self nomination process.
Police said a person had contacted Crime Stoppers regarding the matter but believe there are others who also have information.
Police are urging those people, or anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online at .crimestoppersvic.com.au
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