CFA and MFB attend suspected arson at Coldstream mulch business
Explosions have rocked the Yarra Valley after a late-night fire at a Coldstream mulching business. Trucks and a shipping container were destroyed in the blaze, but firefighters stopped it from spreading to surrounding grassland.
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Loud explosions were heard across Coldstream after two large trucks and a shipping container went up in flames.
Three fires at a Station St business, which police are treating as suspicious, took more than an hour to bring under control by numerous CFA brigades and the MFB this morning.
Coldstream CFA captain Sean Bethell said crews were called to the site of a mulching business at 12.30am.
Mr Bethell said two heavy trucks and a shipping container — all full of wood chips — alight when firefighters arrived at the scene.
He said the sounds of explosions, heard by many Yarra Valley residents, were caused by the trucks tyres and air cylinders combusting in the blaze.
Lilydale, Yarra Glen, Mt Evelyn, Bayswater and Yellingbo CFA brigades helped extinguish the fires, as well as MFB firefighters.
Mr Bethel said firefighters stayed at the site for four hours to secure the scene.
“A good job was done by all present,” Mr Bethel said.
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He said firefighters successfully contained the flames within the business’ fenced compound to stop it spreading to surrounding grassland.
No one was injured.
Police have called for anyone with information on the incident, deemed as suspicious, to come forward.
Yarra Ranges detective Senior Constable Gavin Rhodes said the arson squad would be at the site later this morning to officially establish the cause of the fires.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.