Lilydale crime: Old Main Street, Maroondah Highway fire station gutted in blaze

A fire, so hot the roof glowed red, has gutted a historic fire station and angered many who blame landowners who have allowed the place to ruin.

A historic fire station in the heart of Lilydale has been gutted by fire, believed to have been started by squatters.

The fire was so fierce at the 82-year-old station, the roof was glowing red by the time the firefighters arrived on scene about 11pm on Tuesday, May 25.

But this wasn’t the only call out emergency services have attended at 322 Main St with Lilydale CFA captain Paul Simpson confirming crews attended the property 20 times in the past eight weeks.

As it stands the three vacant shops next door, plus the old station – 304 to 322 Main St – are for sale with Commercial Real Estate.

The site has planning approval for a mixed development with shops, an office, and a fast food restaurant with drive through.

The station opened in 1939 – only days before the fateful historical Black Friday bushfires, but has been vacant since the CFA moved to its new station nearby.

The site is not heritage listed.

Mr Simpson said the flames had spread into the roof by the time firefighters arrived causing it to glow red.

He said it took fireys half an hour to get into the building as flames licked under every window and door.

Two volunteers were injured during the fire fight, he said.

Mr Simpson said one particular man, who was not at the scene of the fire, and known to police, had been squatting in the vacant shops next door until they were boarded up by Yarra Ranges Council.

He said the man moved to the old station and firefighters were called out several times after passers-by reported smoke billowing from the historic building and found the squatter inside.

Mr Simpson said the man had been lighting fires with old plastic bottles to cook and keep warm inside the old station.

Lilydale Historical Society president Sue Thompson said she was appalled at the behaviour of the landowners of landmark buildings in Lilydale, who were carrying out “demolition by neglect”.

Ms Thompson said the three shops and fire station had been neglected and were rife with homeless people who were trying to find a dry place to sleep.

“The owners have a responsibility to the community,” she said.

A Lilydale police spokesman said detectives were investigating and were aware homeless had been squatting in the area, but could not confirm they were responsible for the blaze.

Yarra Ranges Council has issued a show cause notice to the site owner about demolishing the building following its fire damage.

The council has also issued an order to secure the site and make it safe.

Council removed dumped rubbish from near this site in recent days, following contact from a community member.

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