By Mikayla van Loon
After a run of vandalism around Lilydale’s Main Street, the town has been plagued with two abandoned car fires in just one week.
Lilydale CFA brigade members, with assistance from Coldstream and Mount Evelyn, responded to a Nissan Navara that was set alight on Castella Street, near Gardiner Street, on Thursday 11 August.
“The twin cab ute was well alight when firefighters arrived,” Lilydale CFA executive manager and volunteer Ron Haines said.
“Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a 38mm hose to quickly extinguish the fire because you never know what could happen at a job like that should the fire spread to the fuel tank.”
Yarra Ranges Criminal Investigation Unit detective senior constable Robert Plaucs said police “believe it is the same vehicle from a burglary at Montrose IGA.”
“We’re calling for witnesses who may have seen the fire or who have any dash cam footage.”
It comes after the Lilydale brigade, with help from Mooroolbark and Montrose, responded to a similar call on Sunday 7 August on Bellbird Drive.
Mr Haines’ understanding was that both cars had been abandoned, with the Nissan Navara only being dumped two days before being set on fire and the vehicle from Sunday possibly forming part of an ongoing investigation.
Det SC Plaucs confirmed the car fire on Sunday was connected to a burglary that occurred in Silvan not long before the incident.
“It’s not that common but we do have spates of certain things,” Det SC Plaucs said.
“When there’s two car fires in a week, it is quite out of the ordinary. There’s nothing, however, to say they are linked but we’re keeping an open mind.”
Mr Haines said the behaviour occurring in Lilydale was very “unusual”.
“We’ve responded to five suspicious fires within the township in just over a week,” he said.
While the timing of the one on Sunday 7 August was in the early hours of the morning, Mr Haines said Lilydale CFA was called to the most recent car fire on Thursday around 3pm.
“It was in the middle of the day, so you think someone would have seen something,” he said.
“Normally cars are burnt out in the middle of the night, so it is quite strange,” Det SC Plaucs said.
Having responded to two separate bin fires the week before, Mr Haines said he has since written to Yarra Ranges Council to enquire about upgrading CCTV cameras around the town.
“Something needs to be done, the cameras need upgrading.
“It’s very concerning and we need the local community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or behaviour to the local police station or Crime Stoppers.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV or information is urged to contact the Lilydale Police Station on 9739 2300.
Alternatively you can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
