Travis Bird accused of setting Caulfield Racecourse grandstand on fire, breaking into Jewish centre

The 51-year-old man accused of setting a historic grandstand at Caulfield Racecourse on fire is also alleged to have broken into a nearby Jewish community centre with “intent to steal”.

A man accused of setting fire to a historic grandstand at Caulfield Racecourse and causing a million dollars’ worth of damage is also alleged to have broken into a nearby Jewish community centre.

Travis Bird, 51, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after allegedly lighting a series of fires and trespassing across Melbourne’s southeast on Tuesday.

Scores of firefighters rushed to the racecourse about 6.30am to find the grandstand ablaze, bringing the fire under control by 7.09am.

Emergency services battled a fire at the Caulfield Racecourse grandstand. Picture: X

CCTV footage handed over to police allegedly shows Mr Bird dragging a wheelie bin to an upper level of the Norman Robinson stand, adding extra paper and setting it alight.

Sources who have viewed the footage allege he pushed the wheelie bin into an area of the stand with timber decking, where the fire spread quickly.

Travis Bird, 51, appeared before court on Wednesday after allegedly lighting a series of fires across Melbourne’s southeast. Picture: Facebook

Charge sheets released to the Herald Sun reveal that Mr Bird also travelled to the Shtiebel community centre on Booran Rd, allegedly damaging its $500 door and entering with “intent to steal”.

However, police do not allege Mr Bird stole anything from the centre.

The alleged break-in is not believed to be religiously motivated.

According to its website, the centre was founded to meet Melbourne’s Jewish community’s “changing needs” and “challenge the historical assumptions about what it means to be engaged with and involved in Jewish life”.

Mr Bird also travelled to Caulfield South and allegedly set fire to two bins and a tricycle, as well as a bag and trailer in Caulfield East.

The Shtiebel community centre is nearby to Caulfield Racecourse.

Mr Bird, whose last known address was in Wangaratta, was arrested at Mordialloc train station on Tuesday afternoon.

His defence lawyer on Wednesday told Magistrate Vincenzo Caltabiano her client had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, requesting his mental health be monitored while he is in custody.

She said he was also overdue for a dose of depot, which is used to treat schizophrenia.

Mr Bird, sporting a scruffy grey beard, sat quietly in the dock during the filing hearing.

He has been charged with four counts of arson, two counts of trespass and one count each of burglary, criminal damage and theft.

The arson charges relate to the fire at the racecourse, the series of small fires across Caulfield and a grass fire in Aspendale.

Damage inside the Caulfield Racecourse grandstand after a fire on Tuesday. Picture: X/Michael Felgate

The damage to the grandstand is estimated to be more than $1m. Picture: Ian Currie

The blaze at the racecourse caused significant damage to the 1876 Bar and the Medallion bar.

Fortunately, no one was injured.

Melbourne Racing Club chairman John Kanga said a “state of the art” sprinkler system had prevented the fire from destroying the grandstand.

“The grandstand will not be demolished. It will be rebuilt,” he said.

“I’m not a builder but from what I’ve seen this morning the damage will be in the millions.”

He said staff and members were “gutted, as a club”.

“We’re in a very good position. We will rebuild and we’re keen to ensure their heritage aspect is covered.”

Police assess the scene at Caulfield Racecourse after a fire tore through the grandstand. Picture: Ian Currie

There was some water damage as a result of the firefighting effort but precious artworks escaped the blaze.

Mr Kanga said the Caulfield Heath twilight race meet on Wednesday would be transferred to Mornington.

A ground staff member cutting the grass for the race meet was the first to alert emergency services to the flames on Station St.

The local Glen Iris station had keys to the racecourse and was quickly on the scene, along with 17 trucks from around the area.

They arrived to find smoke pouring from the grandstand and flames visible through the building’s windows.

Fire Rescue Victoria incident controller Dennis Smith said firefighters did well to keep the blaze contained being ‘such an old building’. Picture: Ian Currie

Acting assistant chief fire officer Dennis Smith said fire crews had worked hard to keep the blaze contained, as it could have ripped through the timber stand.

“Being such an old building, there’s definitely a lot of potential for that to extend and be quite a significant fire, but really good work from the initial crews,” Mr Smith said.

“We had approximately 17 fire trucks and resources on scene, and I think it was over 70 firefighters on scene, so they’ve all worked pretty hard.”

Mr Smith confirmed there were no injuries to the public, but one firefighter received a cut to their hand while responding and had been taken to hospital for treatment.

The fire comes as Caulfield prepares for one of its busiest periods with the Blue Diamond Stakes, CF Orr Stakes and Oakleigh Plate all scheduled for next month. All are Group 1 races.

Mr Bird made no application for bail and was remanded in custody.

He will return to court on April 1 for a committal mention.