A MAN has been arrested and charged with arson after a ‘suspicious’ fire ripped through one of the world’s most famous racecourses.
Some 65 firefighters and 16 fire engines were needed to tackle the enormous blaze at Caulfield track in Melbourne, Australia.
https://twitter.com/johnkanga/status/1876536952310444407A 51-year-old man was arrested at a train station around 15 miles from the racecourse seven hours after the fire erupted.
Local reports claimed CCTV ‘clearly showed’ a person setting fire to a wheelie bin at the course.
The male was detained after residents also reported a number of grass fires in the area.
He was charged with four counts of arson, two counts of trespass and one count each of burglary, criminal damage and theft.
The male has been remanded in custody and will appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
Photos posted online showed the extensive damage done to the grandstand – a listed building – with shattered glass and rubble everywhere.
Rows of plastic seats in the grandstand had melted and a smoke warning was issued to the surrounding area as it billowed out of the two-storey Norman Robinson Stand.
A Victoria Police statement said: “Investigators are investigating links between the three grass fires, in the vicinity of Attenborough Park and reserve in Mordialloc about 12.30pm local time, and the grandstand fire.
“The fires are all believed to be suspicious.
“The man will now be interviewed by detectives.”
While a statement from Fire Rescue Victoria said: “The Norman Robinson Stand and 1876 bar were significantly affected by fire while another bar and an adjoining stand sustained some water damage.
“Quick work by fire crews and an effective sprinkler system prevented any extension of the fire to adjoining stands.
“No injuries to course employees or the public were reported.”
Caulfield racecourse is one of the biggest in Australia and known throughout the world for hosting the mega-money Caulfield Cup, which has been run since 1879.
The £3million race has been won by British-based trainer Saeed bin Suroor in recent years.
Melbourne Racing Club Chairman John Kanga said he and his team are already counting the cost of the blaze, but vowed everything will be done as quickly as possible to restore the site to its former glory.
He said: “We are going to rebuild and make it bigger and better.
“We are fully insured and we will start as quick as we can. There won’t be any delays.”
“The positive thing is no one was injured. It’s pretty ugly, a lot of superficial damage to the bars.
“Structurally, it will be fine. We will rebuild it accordingly.”
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