Police investigate more Belmont tree fires

Police are investigating another bizarre pair of deliberately lit fires in Geelong believed to be linked to string of similar attacks.

A series of fires were lit in Belmont in the early hours of March 10, including trees on Davis St that were targeted. Picture: Justin van Rossum.

Police are investigating another two tree fires in Belmont believed to linked to a bizarre series of arson attacks on nature strips.

Fire crews were called to Pavo St around 9.35pm after a tree went up in flames on Wednesday night.

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokeswoman said fireys received reports the fire had burnt through power lines.

“Firefighters arrived on the scene within four minutes to find a tree on fire sparking power lines,” the spokeswoman said.

Police are investigating more deliberately lit tree fires in Belmont. Photo: Brad Fleet.

“Firefighters requested the power company to attend and extinguished the fire after the power was shut down.”

Just five minutes later, at 9.39am, another fire was reported on nearby Summit Av.

A Geelong CIU spokesman said police believe the fires were both deliberately lit.

They are investigating the link between the incidents and five suspicious fires on residential nature strips in the backstreets of Belmont earlier this year.

CCTV footage is being reviewed and witnesses interviewed.

The string of arson attacks included fires in the Geelong suburb in the early hours of Sunday, March 10 – between 3.30am and 5.30am.

The fires followed a day where a total fire ban was in place due to temperatures reaching 40C.

A tree was also torched on Summit Ave (pictured) on Wednesday night. Photo: Brad Fleet.

Four trees and a building were torched in the incident, including on Johnson St, a third in Laura Ave, and a fourth in Davis St.

A fifth fire was later lit at a vacant supermarket in Stephen St, causing moderate damage to the two-storey brick building.

One Davis St resident said there had been similar attacks in early February, with several trees in the neighbourhood burned and both internet and power cut.

Sealed bags containing asbestos waste were also seen outside the building on the same day.

First Constable Paul Hogan said it was too early to confirm the link between last night’s fires and previous incidents.

“Police believe that two trees were set alight in the vicinity of Pavo Street and Summit Ave about 9.45pm,” he said.

“Investigators are exploring all avenues of inquiry.”

No one was injured and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incidents, has CCTV or dashcam footage, or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppers.com.au

Originally published as Police investigate more Belmont tree fires