Devastating Montrose bushfire deemed ‘suspicious’ by police, investigations to continue

Police have officially deemed the cause of the bushfire that ravaged a large section of bushland in Montrose and destroyed a house as suspicious.

Police have officially deemed the cause of Montrose bushfire that destroyed a home, damaged others and burnt 40ha of land as suspicious, as the investigation into the blaze continues.

The bushfire, which began at 2pm in Dr Ken Lavasha Reserve on Saturday March 15, has been deemed as suspicious by investigators after witnesses reported seeing four teenage boys exiting the area minutes after the fire began.

Terrified eastern suburbs locals woke in the middle of the night to see flames and heavy smoke. Picture: X / Dr Nickabocka

Firefighters worked tirelessly for days to control the fire. Picture: ABC

The four boys were interviewed by police days after the bushfire ravaged Melbourne’s east, but no charges have been laid.

Arson has not been ruled out as the cause of the bushfire.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the investigation remains ongoing.

Terry Moyle and her kids Jack 12, and Angel 11, after a raging bushfire scorched their backyard. Picture: David Crosling

The blaze, which drastically intensified overnight, destroyed one home, and severely damaged several others.

Hundreds of firefighters, including helicopter water bombers, fought the bushfire before it was brought under control at midday on Sunday, March 16.