Dakota nightclub blaze Ringwood: fire destroys eastern suburbs club
UPDATE: THE first person on the scene of a fire that destroyed a popular suburban nightclub said they saw a dark coloured car speed off as they arrived.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE first person on the scene of a fire that destroyed a popular Ringwood nightclub said they saw a dark coloured car speed off as they arrived.
Authorities are yet to confirm whether the fire, that destroyed the Dakota nightclub and threatened nearby shops, was deliberately lit.
The nightclub was well alight when fire crews arrived about 2.45am, with shops on both sides being threatened.
TURNBULL LUNCHED WITH SLAIN LAWYER
THOUSANDS CAUGHT UP IN CAR CRASH RACKET
RINGWOOD ONE OF OUR NEXT PROPERTY HOTSPOTS
A section of the Maroondah Highway was closed as 15 MFB crews worked for more than 90 minutes to control the blaze.
Motorists have been urged to avoid the area as smoke and steam continue to pour from the building, that may contain asbestos panels.
Witness Cody Myers was the first on scene and saw suspicious activity outside the club as the fire raged inside.
“Pulling up we saw a dark coloured car stopped outside Dakota and as soon as we came through they sped off,” he said.
Mr Myers and a friend were driving down Maroondah Highway just before 2.30am when they saw what appeared to be fog around the building.
As they got closer they saw flames coming from the top of Dakota and Mr Myers immediately called triple-0.
BOLT: LABOR SINKING IN SEA OF DENIAL
STUDENT SUES RINGWOOD SCHOOL OVER MATE’S DEATH
THE CELLAR DOOR, RINGWOOD REVIEW
When Mr Myers stepped from the car and walked toward the club, he saw fire raging from its doors.
“The fire brigade and police were there within five minutes and started putting the fire out,” he said.
The pair gave statements to police then were asked to move on.
MFB eastern district commander Bruce Pickethall said the interior of the club had been completely destroyed by the fire.
“It’s early days but at this stage we are fairly confident that it started in the front section of the building and has caused extensive damage inside,” he said.
Emergency services found no one inside the nightclub when they arrived.
The venue is now being treated as a crime scene while police and fire investigators attempt to determine the cause of the blaze.
Fire crews will remain on scene during the day.
Police are calling for anyone with information about the fire to contact them.
READ MORE RINGWOOD STORIES:
RINGWOOD ONE OF OUR NEXT PROPERTY HOTSPOTS
‘Angels’: Hero Coles workers save mum’s life
A mother of three has opened up on how her life was saved after she suddenly collapsed while doing a routine supermarket shop.
Wildlife and traffic fears over music festival
Wildlife advocates fear a weekend music festival in central Victoria will endanger native animals including rescued joeys.