By Melissa Cunningham and Lachlan Abbott
A man charged over the fire that ripped through a grandstand at Caulfield Racecourse has faced court accused of causing more than $1 million worth of damage, following a series of suspicious fires in Melbourne’s south-east.
Victorian man Travis Bird, who was arrested at Mordialloc train station about 1.45pm on Tuesday following reports of several grass fires burning in the area, appeared before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning.
A firefighter at the scene of the blaze that gutted a grandstand at Caulfield Racecourse on Tuesday.Credit: Paul Jeffers
The 51-year-old faces four counts of arson, two counts of trespass and one count each of burglary, criminal damage and theft.
A lawyer appearing on Bird’s behalf told the hearing he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and required antipsychotic medication for the condition.
“His depot injection is overdue,” she said. “I ask his mental health be monitored while he is in custody.”
Bird did not apply for bail.
Fire Rescue Victoria said on Tuesday that crews had responded to the blaze in the Norman Robinson Stand at the heritage-listed racecourse about 6.20am.
Court documents show Bird is accused of illegally entering the Caulfield Racecourse and starting a fire in the grandstand, which caused an estimated $1 million damage.
Police allege the fire at Caulfield Racecourse caused more than $1 million in damage.Credit: X/@m_felgate
Bird has also been charged over other smaller fires in the Caulfield area.
Police allege he stole a bag and trailer and set fire to both in Caulfield South on Tuesday, that he set fire to a stolen tricycle and two bins in Caulfield South causing hundreds of dollars worth of damage, and that he stole a letter valued at $1 from a property in Caulfield East.
Police allege he damaged a door belonging to the Shtiebel Community Centre in Caulfield East. He is charged with trespassing and intent to steal.
Bird is also accused of causing $1000 damage by lighting a grass fire on a patch of land in Aspendale owned by the City of Kingston.
Detective Sergeant Stuart Hough said on Tuesday that Bird had lived in the area a long time ago but had no known links to the racecourse or the racing industry.
Police said Bird’s last known address was in Wangaratta.
“Some witnesses directed us to him, and he was arrested nearby on a train,” Hough said.
On Tuesday, a Melbourne Racing Club spokesperson said the racecourse fire started in The 1876 bar on the first level of the Norman Robinson Stand.
Another bar and an adjoining stand also sustained water damage.
Melbourne Racing Club chairman John Kanga said on Tuesday the club was devastated.
“It’s a very old stand and a unique stand, and one of our favourite stands for our members,” he said. “So we’re gutted as a club, but we’re keen to rebuild.”
Fire Rescue Victoria acting assistant chief fire officer Dennis Smith said the first and second levels of the timber stand were the worst affected, but a quick response from firefighters and the club’s sprinkler system had stopped the fire from spreading.
“Considering it’s a historic building and there’s been some damage there, it could’ve been a lot worse,” he said at the racecourse.
A firefighter was taken to hospital with a cut to his hand that would probably require stitches. About 17 fire trucks and more than 70 firefighters battled the blaze. No one was injured in the other fires.
Bird was remanded in custody and will appear in court again on April 1.
With Cassandra Morgan
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