Excavator ‘firebombed’ at controversial development site in Melbourne’s south-east

RED HOT TIP CONFIRMED

An excavator at a controversial development in Melbourne’s south-east has been set alight overnight.

Residents and the Bayside Council were in a VCAT fight over the demolition of four Edwardian houses for the Hampton development.

But before VCAT reached a decision, and as the council prepared heritage protections for the properties, demolition began.

Martin told Neil Mitchell the excavator had been “firebombed and destroyed.”

Press PLAY below for Martin’s call.

Police were called to the Service Street site just after 1.30am, where they found the machinery ablaze.

Detective Sergeant Grant Lewis told Dee Dee the excavator is “a write-off”.

“It’s a $250,000 loss and they’ve also got a $20,000 cost to have it removed,” he said.

“It appears there been forced entry to the cabin, and accelerant has been used and the cabin has been set alight.”

The exact circumstances of the fire are unknown, but it is being treated as suspicious.

There are no persons of interest at this stage.

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Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.