Man hit with string of charges after ‘suspicious’ fire tore through Melbourne’s Caulfield Racecourse

A man has been charged after a series of suspicious fires across Melbourne’s southeast, including one that tore through parts of a famed racecourse.

A man has been slapped with a string of charges after a fire tore through a historic grandstand at Melbourne’s Caulfield Racecourse.

The racecourse fire broke out about 6.20am on Tuesday, with 17 firetrucks and more than 70 firefighters attacking the blaze before it was brought under control in less than an hour.

Emergency services issued a smoke and fire warning for nearby residents.

The fire has caused extensive damage. Picture: NewsWire/ Ian Currie

Shortly after 3pm on Tuesday a Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed detectives had arrested a 51-year-old man.

The man has since been charged with four counts of arson, two of trespass and one each of burglary, criminal damage and theft.

The charges relate to fires allegedly set across Caulfield and Mordialloc on Tuesday, including grass fires in Mordialloc about 12.30pm and several small fires in Arnott Street Caulfield in addition to that in the grandstand of Caulfield Racecourse about 6.25am.

The 51-year-old, whose last known residence was in Wangaratta, was remanded in custody.

He is set to front Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Emergency services responded to reports of a fire in the grandstand about 6.20am. Picture: 9News

Detective Sergeant Stuart Hough told media outside Moorabbin Police Station on Tuesday the man was assisting with inquiries and police were not looking for anyone else.

He said quick-thinking community members had reported a small fire near the Nepean Hwy in Mordialloc at 12.20pm with police soon after arresting the man on-board a train at the Mordialloc railway station.

“It’s been great work by police today and the local community,” he said.

Sergeant Hough said the man had no known links to the racing community.

“We’re going through CCTV footage as we speak,” he said.

The Caulfield Racecourse fire caused extensive damage to the Norman Robinson Stand, which was first built in 1960.

There was a fire at Caulfield Racecourse early this morning in The 1876 Bar within the Norman Robinson Grandstand. Fire emergency services quickly attended the scene and controlled the fire. Victoria Police are treating the fire as suspicious.

Tomorrow's Caulfield Heath…

— Melbourne Racing Club (@MelbRacingClub) January 7, 2025

One firefighter was taken to hospital with a cut on his hand. Picture: X

According to Fire Rescue Victoria, both the Stand and 1876 bar were “significantly affected”, while another bar and an adjourning stand sustained some water damage.

The fire was brought under control by about 7.10am, no one was injured and the area was evacuated safely.

Melbourne Racing Club chairman John Kanga suggested the damage bill could run into the millions but vowed the Club would rebuild.

A building surveyor was called in to assess the structural damage.

Speaking to media, Fire Rescue Victoria commander Dennis Smith said the fire could have been a lot worse.

“This had a lot of potential to extend and be a much more significant fire and really impact the racecourse,” he said.

“We’ll be at a point now where we’ll need to structural engineers to have a look and the health officer to have a look because there’s been a bit of water damage with some of the restaurants underneath.

“So as far as the community is concerned there’s no issue for them. There was a bit of smoke this morning … there is a lot of residents around here but thankfully the wind wasn’t significant so it didn’t really impact them that much.”

Structural engineers will be brought in to examine the structure. Picture: NewsWire/ Ian Currie

“Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers.”

Eight Caulfield Heath races set to be held at the Caulfield Racecourse on Wednesday have been move to the Mornington Racecourse.

Caulfield North MP David Southwick urged local residents to follow the guidance of emergency services.

“Thank you to our hardworking firefighters and first responders,” he shared on social media.