Police have charged man in relation to a blaze that destroyed a popular floating nightclub boat

Police have charged a 32-year-old man more than a year after a popular Docklands nightclub was gutted by fire on in 2023.

Police have charged a Lalor man with arson following a blaze in 2023 which gutted a popular Docklands nightclub.

Floating club ATET was reduced to char after the large fire engulfed the vessel just a week after it reopened its doors, around 4.30am on Tuesday January 31.

Floating club ATET was damaged in a fire in January 2023. Picture: Supplied

No one was inside the venue at the time, however the inferno caused massive damage with owners flagging at the time the vessel would need a complete rebuild.

The early morning blaze drew suspicion, following ATET’s controversial opening among nearby residents fearing noise pollution.

Police initially arrested a 32 year old man in April this year, executing a search warrant at his Lalor property, before releasing him pending further enquiries.

On Sunday he was officially charged, hit with a string of offences including criminal damage by fire (arson) and the possession of methylamphetamine.

He is due to appear at Melbourne Magistrate’s Court on August 19.