Bundoora grass fire possibly the work of an arsonist

A out-of-control grass fire that forced Bundoora, Mill Park and Greensborough residents to evacuate their homes might’ve been deliberately lit.

Police are investigating whether a potentially catastrophic fire in suburban Melbourne was the work of an arsonist.

Locals at Bundoora, Mill Park and Greensborough were menaced by the blaze in the fierce temperatures of yesterday after it started at the Plenty Gorge and ripped through 40ha.

CFA firefighters after a fire impacted Clovemont Way, Bundoora in Melbourne. Picture: AAP

Three houses were damaged and terrified residents warned to shelter inside at the height of the drama.

Dozens of fire units, many run by volunteers, fought the fire yesterday and remained in the area performing backburning work today.

Severe weather conditions has put Victoria on high alert for bushfires. Picture: AAP

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said detectives from Whittlesea CIU were investigating the blaze.

“The exact circumstances are unknown at this stage and the investigation remains ongoing,” the spokeswoman said.

Waterbombers were used to try and contain the fire. Picture: Sarah Matray

Meanwhile, a man has been charged with arson over a series of fires and attempted fires around Cranbourne and Dandenong month.

The incidents happened on December 17 at Thompsons Rd, Cranbourne, December 28 on the corner of Foster and McCrase streets in Dandenong and in the Cranbourne area on the same day.

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Detectives from the Casey and Dandenong CIU’s executed search warrants on Forest Oak Drive in Cranbourne yesterday and arrested a 41-year-old man.

He was charged with five counts of criminal damage by fire and remanded to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on January 21.