By JESSE GRAHAM
POLICE are investigating a fire that destroyed a heritage-listed Healesville house on Monday, believed to be deliberately lit, and are appealing for witnesses.
CFA crews were called out to a fire at 122 Maroondah Highway at 10.36pm on Monday 22 September, after a number of calls came in from concerned residents.
The fire, which was burning out of the back and top of the building, was controlled within 15 minutes, and finally blacked-out at midnight, with firefighters tackling the blaze from outside and inside the building.
Yarra Ranges Criminal Investigation Unit Acting Sergeant, Detective Paul Edyvane, told the Mail that arson chemists attended the scene of the fire the next day.
He said the fire was deemed as suspicious, and was believed to be deliberately lit, but that police were waiting on tests to find out what was used to start the fire.
“We are appealing for anyone who might have knowledge,” Act Sgt Edyvane said.
Healesville CFA Captain, Graeme Bates, said neither power nor gas was connected to the house, which was 70 per cent alight when crews arrived.
A spokesperson for the owner of the property told the Mail that there had been vandalism to the property recently.
The house was subject to an interim Heritage Overlay, while a planning scheme amendment – which could have seen the house added into the Healesville Heritage Overlay – was considered by a panel.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or by visiting crimestoppersvic.com.au, or call Yarra Ranges Criminal Investigation Unit on 9739 2300.
For the full story, see next week’s Mail.
