At-times naked man arrested following crane siege at Melbourne construction site

Police negotiated with an at-times naked man for more than five hours in a siege at a construction site following a suspicious fire.

An at-times naked man refused to get down from a crane at a construction site in Melbourne’s north following a fire, sparking a more-than five-hour siege.

Emergency services were called to a construction site on High St, Thomastown about 1.45am Friday after reports a fire had broken out.

The man initially refused to get down from the crane. Picture: 9 News

Initial investigations by Victoria Police indicated the blaze may have been deliberately lit.

It was soon extinguished by fire crews.

A man was seen on a crane on top of the building when emergency services attended the scene.

The man initially refused to get off the crane and was reportedly up there for at about five hours.

Police attempted to negotiate with him earlier on Thursday morning.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said it was believed the man climbed onto a crane at the top of the building and refused to come down.

The 50-year-old was escorted off the scaffolding and placed under arrest about 8am.

He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries inflicted from an unrelated incident.

The man is set to be interviewed by police at a later date.

He was reportedly naked for some time when he was first spotted on the crane just before 2am, with Today reporting he later put pants on.

The man was naked at times but later opted to put on pants. Picture: 9 News

Anyone with information has been urged to come forward.

A Victoria Ambulance spokesperson earlier confirmed paramedics were called to an incident in Thomastown about 2.25am.

“Crews remain on standby,” the spokesperson said about 7.30am.

ROADS CLOSED, TRAINS DOWN

High St was shut in both directions between Main St and Pleasant Rd.

Motorists were urged to use Edgars Rd or Dalton Rd.

Buses were also replacing trains between Epping and Reservoir on Friday morning.

High Street, Thomastown is closed in both directions between Main Street and Pleasant Road due to a police incident. Use Edgars Road or Dalton Road instead. Allow extra time through the area. #victrafficpic.twitter.com/c3Z4Xe59S4

— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) December 19, 2024

A Victoria Department of Transport spokesperson said trains were resuming on the Mernda Line just before 9am following the police incident.

“Buses may continue to supplement services as trains get back into position for the normal timetable,” the spokesperson said.

“We ask passengers to check station platform displays and listen for announcements about changes to their service.

“Transport Victoria thanks passengers for their patience as Victoria Police conducted investigations.