Police investigate series of suspicious fires across western Sydney, including cars, shopfront and gym

Emergency crews responded to four separate fires across western Sydney overnight, with vehicles, a shopfront and a gym damaged. Police are treating all four blazes as suspicious.

Josh Addo Carr trains pre-season at a gym in Merrylands. Picture Thomas Lisson

Police have launched multiple investigations after a string of suspicious fires erupted across Western Sydney overnight, damaging vehicles, a shopfront, and a local gym.

The first incident occurred about 11.50pm on Sunday night, when emergency services were called to Piper St, West Hoxton, following reports of two vehicles on fire.

When police arrived, they found two sedans — a Mazda and BMW — sedan engulfed in flames.

The two cars were set alight in the driveway of the West Hoxton home and resulted in significant damage.

Two cars have been set on fire in a drive way of a property in Piper St West Hoxton. Picture Thomas Lisson

Police found a Mazda and BMW engulfed in flames. Picture Thomas Lisson

NSW Fire and Rescue crews extinguished the blaze, and no injuries were reported.

Just hours later, about 2am Monday, a second fire was reported on Railway Parade in Westmead, where a shopfront was found well alight.

Firefighters successfully put out the fire, and again, no injuries were reported.

Officers from Parramatta Police Area Command established a crime scene and commenced inquiries.

Shortly after, another fire was reported at the Fitness Hub gym on Pitt Street, Merrylands however, thanks to a working sprinkler system, the blaze was contained and caused only minor damage.

The gym, which is known to be frequented by Parramatta Eels players such as Josh Ado-Carr, has fortunately reported no injuries and police are investigating the cause.

Police were seen at the scene on Monday morning.

FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry, speaking at the scene of the targeted Fitness Hub gym, said there was a mass evacuation at the 24-level residential building, but luckily no one sustained any injuries.

“We had about 100 people evacuate, and there were reports of one occupant in the gym. He was moved to safety and assessed by paramedics,” he said.

“The fire response was initiated by an automatic alarm, which triggered the sprinkler system, activating and containing a fire that prompted the response by Fire Rescue New South Wales, along with a number of triple-zero calls which alerted all occupants in the high-rise building.”

At the scene of the other suspicious fire on Railway Parade, Merrylands, Supt Dewberry said a passer-by had made an effort to extinguish the fire.

“The passer-by tried to knock down the fire, however, it still continued to burn.”

“Firefighters gained entry for complete extinguishment, and fortunately no one was inside.”

Supt. Dewberry confirmed that NSW Police have taken over at all four scenes for further investigation.

A suspicious fire has been lit at Fitness Hub gym in Merrylands police are investigating. Picture Thomas Lisson

Officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command responded, and the fire was extinguished without injuries. Picture Thomas Lisson

The fourth blaze occurred about 3am on Braidwood Drive in Prestons, where a Mazda SUV was found on fire.

Officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command responded, and the fire was extinguished without injuries.

Josh Addo Carr Josh Addo Carr trains pre-season at the Fitness Hub in Merrylands. Picture Thomas Lisson

Police have confirmed that crime scenes have been established at all four locations, and investigations into each incident are underway.

Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the fires are linked.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage related to any of the incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Originally published as Police investigate series of suspicious fires across western Sydney, including cars, shopfront and gym