Arrest made after Norlane blaze that destroyed abandoned building
Police have arrested a man following a shocking house fire that had two suburbs on high alert and a building virtually destroyed.
Geelong
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UPDATE: Police have arrested a man following a shocking house fire in Geelong that had two suburbs on high alert and a building virtually destroyed.
Detectives from the Geelong Crime Investigation Unit have apprehended a 44-year-old man of no fixed address following a blaze at an abandoned property on Station Street in Norlane on Wednesday, January 18.
Emergency services rushed to the address after witnesses reported seeing flames licking out the windows of the building.
It took six crews from Fire Rescue Victoria to get the fire under control.
A Victoria Police spokesman said investigations remained ongoing and the man had been released “pending further inquiries”.
“There was significant damage to the house and no injuries,” he said.
“A 44-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested a short time later and released pending further inquiries.”
A warning was issued to residents of North Shore and Norlane at the time due to the amount of smoke.
EARLIER: An investigation is underway into what caused a fire at a “abandoned house” in Geelong, with police calling for witnesses.
Emergency services, including six fire units, rushed to the scene of the blaze in Norlane on Wednesday morning.
The fire is believed to have started just after 11.20am at the house, on Station Street, with the cause still unknown.
A Fire Rescue Victoria spokeswoman said firefighters were still attending the house fire, with a smoke warning issued for Norlane and North Shore.
“You may see or smell smoke from nearby roads and communities,” she said.
“There is no immediate threat to the community and no action is required.”
She said crews arrived on scene to find a single storey weatherboard house with the front and rear impacted by flames.
“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus worked to make the scene safe bringing the incident under control in 20 minutes.”
A spokeswoman for Victoria Police, who also attended, said they were investigating the incident at the “abandoned house” in Norlane.
“Investigators are yet to determine the cause of the fire and investigations are ongoing,” she said.
Police are calling for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make an anonymous report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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